Wedding Curls

I absolutely love the hair in these pictures.......Will I choose one for the official wedding 'do'? Stay tuned..... I'm loving the long hair - but I tell you what - as soon as I get past the wedding photos - this hair is going to be chopped and layered and I'm getting some long sweepy bangs back. I'm so tired of having to sleep in a pony tail so it doesn't become a rat's nest. Now I don't want short short, but just below the shoulders should be just fine....

I just realized I hadn't been talking wedding that much on my blog. I guess because I have my wedding planning page that I have all that stuff posted on.

This weekend I'm going to attempt the aisle runner. My parents are going out of town so I will have full use of the big dining room table to work with. I have all the supplies - just need to go to Kinko's and get a large print done of the image. Kinda fun and exciting too. The only thing with the aisle runner - It seems like it will be a pain for people to set it out before I walk down after everyone else walks through. But I want to do it and it was cheap to decorate. Also we will only have an altar centerpiece at the front of the sanctuary so there won't be very many decorations in there.

5 1/2 months. We've been engaged for 6 1/2 months already. Time sure flies!! I have so many things to do but some that can't happen until after my house sells. Sell little house, sell fast!!

Through the years....

Ah the age of the sit-com - Don't you just love the 80's and early 90's? Can you recognize all the shows?? I couldn't make the pictures any larger - I posted them individually at first but that was a pain to scroll through so many. If you double click on either of the pictures it will enlarge so you can get a better look :)

Now for my loves of today....ok so not all of these are still on the air - but they are still faves from my adult tv watching years....Can you recognize these shows too? Of course most of them have the titles... lol

Counting pennies...

Well...a week ago I was really optimistic about digging out of the hole to be on the road to success. The last few days everyone is talking about this bail-out plan. I don't know how I feel now. If my house had sold already I would be a little better. I do believe in the free enterprise system. I just don't want to have to continue to struggle through a few more years of it when I've already been struggling so long - espc when I'm on the cusp of it all being ok. I watched Dave Ramsey's show tonight. He thought that a lot of the panic was hyped up and that we all will be ok....just have to hang tight through a few years and then it will kind of reinforce what he preaches - living on a cash basis and those who can't afford houses won't qualify for them. I guess we will just have to see how the next few years pan out. Kinda scary for us when we want to try to have a baby pretty quickly after we get married. It will all work out though. I have faith.

Wise words from Lorelai...

"Rory, my heart. It is Saturday,
the day of rest."
"Sunday’s the day of rest."
"No, Saturday is the day of pre-rest."
"Pre-rest?"
"Yeah, so that way when you actually get to Sunday you’re rested enough to enjoy your rest."

- Lorelai, to Rory,
trying to stay in bed

Layers of me

LAYER ONE:
Name: Jennifer
Birth date: April 13
Birthplace: Iowa
Current Location: Irving, TX
Eye Color: Green
Hair Color: Dark Blonde
Height: 5′6''
Righty or Lefty: Righty
Zodiac Sign: Aries if you believe in this garbage

LAYER TWO:
Your heritage: I'm a mutt.
The shoes you wore today: Black sandles
Your weakness: Starbucks, decorating, chocolate, wedding stuff, baby stuff.
Your fears: Losing someone I love, not being successful.
Your perfect pizza: Canadian bacon and pineapple
Goal you’d like to achieve: Pay off debt, buy a house, a new car, have kids, travel to Europe

LAYER THREE:
Your most overused phrase on AIM: lol
Your first waking thoughts: 5 more minutes
Your best physical feature: Smile
What you miss the most: I miss the innocence of being a child.

LAYER FOUR:
Pepsi or Coke: Coke
McDonald’s or Burger King: McDonald's
Single or group dates: Both are fun
Adidas or Nike: Either
Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Lipton.
Chocolate or vanilla: Chocolate!
Cappuccino or coffee: Cappuccino

LAYER FIVE:
Smoke: No
Cuss: Not often
Sing: All the time.
Take a shower everyday: Yes!
Do you think you’ve been in love: Yep.
Want to go to college: Been there done that - had a BLAST!
Liked high school: It was alright, but not a memory I want to relive.
Want to get married: Yup - in 6 months!
Believe in yourself: Yes.
Get motion sickness: Sometimes.
Think you’re attractive: Sometimes.
Think you’re a health freak: I'm trying to be better.
Get along with your parent(s): My parents are awesome!!
Like thunderstorms: Love them!
Play an instrument: I used to be able to play the clarinet.

LAYER SIX:
In the past month…
Drank Alcohol: Yes
Smoked: No
Done a drug: No
Made out: Yup
Gone on a date: Yup
Gone to the mall: Yes
Eaten an entire box of Oreos: Eh, no.
Eaten sushi: No
Been on stage: No
Been dumped: No
Gone skating: No
Made homemade cookies: No
Gone skinny dipping: No
Dyed your hair: No - But I need to!!
Stolen anything: No

LAYER SEVEN:
Age you hope to be married: I will get married at age 31 :)
Numbers and Names of Children: TBD when I get preggers lol
Describe your Dream Wedding: As we are doing it - but me with a model figure!
How do you want to die: In my sleep a long time from now
Where you want to go to college: I went to Texas A&M - Class of 99!! WHOOP!!
What do you want to be when you grow up: Good question
What country would you most like to visit: Spain, Greece, Italy, France, Ireland

LAYER EIGHT:
Number of people I could trust with my life: 10
Number of CDs that I own: Too many
Number of piercing: Just ears. (2 in each)
Number of tattoos: 0
Number of times my name has appeared in the newspaper: hmm once?
Number of scars on my body: No idea.
Number of things in my past that I regret: Nothing. I am who I am because of my past.

Back in the wedding mode

I guess I just needed a break from the busy-ness of wedding planning. I hadn't done much with my DIY projects. It's a small start but I'm back - I embossed all of the cards for our Wish Bowl last night. I think tonight I'm going to go by either JoAnn's or Michaels and get some more Zots so that I can get started on at least cutting the pretty paper for my programs. I won't be able to print the actual paper that the schedule is on until later because we have changed ministers and we don't know yet what it will all entail. I have a mock up designed that has assumptions of the order of service - it's just not ready to be printed yet. If I can get all the paper cut and everything ready for that last detail - that will be some great progress!! I have at least 250 to make so I know it will take a while to accomplish.

To Do...

This week I have got to try to take some time off to get some things fixed. I have to get my dishwasher looked at so it will stop randomly filling up. I also need to get my car fixed. My poor little car has been benched for the week because I didn't have time to mess with having it towed and fixed last week. Luckily I get to drive John's dad's truck in the mean time - though my car is sitting there with a full tank of gas in it....unable to start - while the truck guzzles gas like there is no tomorrow.... Hopefully Houston will be fully functional this week!! Hopefully lots of people went to look at my place this weekend - and an offer will be pending this week!! I made a wedding to do list of just the things that I need to make - I need to get on the ball - less than 6 months to go!!!

New blog decor

I love changing things...testing new creative skills and finding new tools to improve upon the present. As much as I like this new design - I'll probably change it in a month or two also if not before... A girl has got to have variety!!!

diaper cakes and web cam baby showers

So...unfortnately, my mom, aunt, and I will not be able to go to Florida for my sister's baby shower tomorrow....but thanks to the wonders of technology we will be there by webcam. It's not ideal, but it's the next best thing. That way we can still share in it with her. I made her a diaper cake and sent that down there. Not the one above. Maybe I should have used diapers that were a little bigger - those newborn diapers are tiny tiny!! Little bitty baby butts!! I can't wait to go down there in a few weeks to meet my niece and see my sister as a new mommy!! It's the year of change...:)

Let them all eat cake........

Tomorrow we go to our first cake testing. This is from a place where mom would get special treats for us from time to time. I'm hoping their cakes are just as scrumptious!! We probably won't book anything tomorrow because we are going to try to meet up with dad's patient first.

Life starts getting pretty busy after this weekend...at least as far as time when we can really do any vendor shopping. John is on call next weekend and then the next month we are waiting to see when little missy decides to make her debut... Then the holidays...then Jen's wedding...then my wedding....Makes me tired just thinking about it!!

Tonight we are going over to visit with some friends and their new baby. Well I guess he is probably about 2 months old now....but we haven't seen him since he was in the hospital. Very excited to see our friends and love on the baby. :)

I blame Ike!!!

The Houston branch is still without power. Darn Ike!! There are still deadlines that require the rest of us to pitch in. It's not really the work - but the timing....Stress upon stress upon stress. Can we have nap time? Or maybe a vacation? I'll get one of those in a few weeks when my little niece is born. I wish I could go down there this weekend for Julie's shower. One of these years I'll look back on this time and remark how far I've come right? Just plugging along down the journey - hoping for a reprieve somewhere soon...

In the Blink of an Eye...9/11/01

9/11 It seems like only yesterday that September 11th only had the meaning of the day after September 10th and day before September 12th. 7 years ago - that changed forever. I was getting ready for work when the first plane hit. Either I had a cd playing or it was silent. I think I was staying at my parents house because I was between living in my apt and living in my newly purchased under renovation condo. I think Jen and I officially moved in to the apt the week after 9/11. When I got in the car I had the radio on and it took me a few minutes into my 15 minute commute to determine what had happened. The radio djs were in shock and were talking but talking as if listeners had been tuning in all along. I got to work and tried to get on some internet site to figure out but there was so much traffic that cnn was full. We didn't have tvs, but tried to listen on the radio. I have family in DC. After they announced about the Pentagon - I called my aunt. My uncle was a former Capitol Hill Officer, and my cousin was an active Capitol Hill Officer. I thought one of my other cousins worked down in the same general area. My aunt and uncle had just gotten back in town the night before. He was at the Dentist and she was doing laundry. No TV/Radio on....When I called and asked how everyone was doing - she thought it was just an every day question...she was trying to figure out why I called...if maybe there was something wrong with Grandma. I explained that I had called because a plane just crashed into the Pentagon and wanted to make sure that everyone was safe. Her response was classic..."My Pentagon?" A few more details and she wanted to make sure the line was clear for her girls to call. She later told me it was good that I called because they were so upset when they called that she would not have been able to figure out what was going on. They were evacuating all the large cities. I just kept wondering if the planes they were trying to ground were taken hostage too and if they were planning on crashing them into each major city around the country. It was such a vulnerable feeling.


My parents were over in Hawaii on vacation. Because of the time difference - they were in bed. They ended up having to stay a few days longer in Hawaii because the planes were grounded. Now it may seem dreamy to have a forced extended vacation - but when something like this happens and your kids are freaking out and you are an ocean away...it's not too relaxing.


I went to a prayer meeting at my church that night. The next few days were so surreal. No planes in the sky. No one talked of anything else. I was glued to my TV. Trying to figure out who this Osama person was that they kept talking about. Astonished. Horrified. Devestated.


I remember feeling unsafe in my own country for the first time ever. Sure you feel a little iffy if you are in a bad neighborhood or see a scary movie - but this - was a living nightmare. What if they came back? How had they gotten here? Why? Where and how would they strike next? Is our water safe? Is the mail safe? Will we fly again?


As the years have gone by - I have met a few people who were directly impacted by 9/11. When I had my QuikDrop franchise - one of the fellow owners in NY had lost a brother and maybe a cousin (I can't remember). Her husband was one of the NYC cops...


I guess every generation has things that are forever transfixed in your mind. My parents generation had Kennedy, my grandparents generation had Pearl Harbor, - 9/11 is ours.


7 years later - have we really changed all that much? We've gone to war. We've done some good there. But do we really feel safer here? Not really. Is there imminent danger - probably not - but just as we all saw 7 years ago - things can change in the blink of an eye.


We need to make the most of the time we have here. The time with our loved ones.


We have not forgotten.
Though our stories are different - we are all the same - we are friends, we are family, we are Americans. We are human beings. We are all in this together.

101 things in 1001 days

Goals - Good things to have - I found a fellow blogger that posted 101 This premise of it basically gives you 1001 days to achieve 101 goals.

What to do: Achieve 101 goals in 1001 days
The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days:Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

My 101 in 1001:

For Myself:
1) Read 2 classic books
2) Get a massage
3) Change my hair design
4) Get nails again
5) Get my rings cleaned once a month
6) go to dinner with friends 3 times a month
7) Go to the dentist
8) Get a new car
9) Laugh daily
10) Create pre and post wedding scrapbooks
11) Go to a Dallas Cowboys game
12) Go to a Bed and Breakfast
13) Buy a new purse
14) Buy elfa shelving and become organized
15) Buy 3 new bras
16) Host a dinner party

For my health:
17) Work out 4 times a week
18) Go to Chiropractor
19) Visit the Dentist
20) Put on Sun screen during the summer
21) Cook healthy meals
22) Keep house clean

For our love:
23) Have a date night at least once a month
24) Sit down for at least an hour each night
25) Take a vacation once a year
26) Work out together
27) Cook a meal together
28) Watch 2 movies; One for him, one for me.
29) Always kiss goodnight
30) Take an "us" picture once a month

For our home:
31) Purchase a king size bed
32) Clean the sink every day (Flylady)
33) Light a fire during the winter
34) Decorate for every holiday
35) Purchase stainless steel appliances
36) Plant a garden
37) Hang our pictures on the wall
38) Take our shoes off before walking on the carpet
39) Spring cleaning every year
40) Hang fabric stylish curtains ( when new house is purchased)

For our wedding:
41) Complete wedding day projects
42) Pick a Bakery
43) Pick a Limo company
44) Update guest list
45) Purchase honeymoon outfits
46) Purchase Guest book platter
47) Get married

For my family:

47) Dinner at least twice a month
48) Call once a week
49) Write letters/emails to cousins who live far away
50) Make a personalized birthday card
51) Play with the cats

For my Finances:
52) Pay off debt
53) Start Emergency Fund
54) Have a garage sale
55) Set up funds for future kids
56) Set up fun savings account

For my Hobby:
57) Cook 1 new recipe once a week
58) After married - learn to sew
59) Take 20 random photographs of funny street names
60) Design 10 new necklace/earring sets
61) Take a cooking class
62) Explore Etsy as a business

For my Soul
63) Spring cleaning - donate to battered women shelter or goodwill
64) Get involved in program at church
65) Journal - daily or weekly -
66) Do Devotional and Bible Study
67) Decorate

For my Brain:
67) Learn Italian
68) Learn more about Adobe Photoshop
69) Learn to budget
70) Write poetry
71) Buy an Interior design book, then pick out one design and create it
72) Go to bed before 11pm
73) Work on keeping certifications current

For my Future:
74) Revise will and beneficiary
75) Reassess Life Insurance needs
76) Vote at presidential election
77) Continue workouts (4x a week) until goal is reached
78) Change all light bulbs to energy efficient
79) Do Laundry so it doesn't pile up
79) Have a baby
80) Go through all documents and only save those needed

For the Blog:
81) Blog about everything wedding related
82) Take pictures of all my DIY projects. During and after completed
83) Continue blogging after the wedding
84) Blog about everything on this list
85) Blog about decorating

For the Randomness:
86) Buy a new jacket every winter
87) Clean the shower once a week for a whole month
88) Buy a new piece of furniture every 6 months
89) Buy new car
90) Keep house organized
91) Have a lazy weekend
92) Visit the in-laws
93) Take an aerobics class
94) Wash my car once a month
95) Get my oil changed on time
96) Get rid of the clutter
97) Go to an Aggie football game
98) Go to a Tech football game
99) Wear jewelry more often
100) Host a party
101) Visit my sister and family

Begin Date: Wednesday September 10th, 2008
End Date: June 22, 2011

Follow me on this journey....It's going to be quite a ride!!!

Dream Bedroom

I love this sleigh bed and the coordinating furniture!! Simple and Elegant. I would like it in a more rich color of brown though. Beautiful!!

Dream Kitchen

Dream Craft Room

Can you see me drooling? Wow - I can't imagine having this much space to have all my artsy stuff so easily accessible - complete with a work table!! WOW!!

Dream Living Rooms

I love big comfy couches and coffee tables that have some style - a trunk or maybe a table or console with drawers. I like simple decorations. No clutter. I like things to be kind of artsy. I like to decorate with a touch of the season. I love bold colors and simple classic colors. I love dark brown wood. I love photographs - arranged artistically. I love things that are warm and loving. I would define my style as Pottery Barn-ish with a touch of Rustic, Vintage, Tuscan Elegance. Make sense?

Dream Mud Rooms

I love Mudrooms - Aren't they cool? The top one is my favorite!

Dream Dining

I know these China Cabinets don't really match the dining table/chairs - I love the darker wood and the style of these items.

Seriously!?!

There are times in life where there is only one word that seems appropriate.....

Dream Bathrooms....

Don't these look spacious and wonderful? I love them!! :)

Dream Closets...

I'm dreaming of lots and lots of space!!! I think I'm in heaven - especially with the last picture!!! :)