I'm trying to be a better blogger, I really am. Right now everything is just kinda jumbled up. We are technically still living out of two places. We sleep and live out of the new house, however we still have a lot of our utilities at the old apartment: washer, dryer, TV, Internet & mail. We stop over there at least once a day to check the mail and maybe do some laundry but I have not been getting online from home at all.
This blog is being written at work, while on my lunch hour of course.
So life has been rather stressful lately, more so than normal, but still manageable. The move has really taken us out of our normal routine and tested our time management skills. Additionally things just keep popping up that need to be dealt with or paid for. As in every move it can get expensive, but add a vet bill for a visit and a surgery on top of that, as well as a brake and blinker light that needs to be fixed (which may not be covered under warranty for some really dumb reason) and a ticket for turning right on red downtown...There have also been some little quirks with the house that have forced me to take some time off of work and deal with. Once the water was turned on we discovered the shower and the toilet in the master bedroom weren't working so that had to be fixed, and the water that was coming out of all of the pipes was soooo stagnant that any time all of the faucets ran the house filled with a sulphur smell. yummy! we ran all of the pipes at once for a while, opened all of the windows and doors and just dealt with the smell till the water heater and all of the pipes were clean.
Lately, it just seems as though if it's not one thing, it is another and D and I just cannot get ahead no matter how hard we try. I have been in a really poopy mood to Dave lately and he has been wonderful. He knows all to well at what times of the month he is allowed to joke with me and when to leave me alone (TMI? possibly, but that is life). He is also really good at reminding me that sometime That Is Life. Things Happen. Things often happen that are out of my control that make feel out of control. No matter how much I complain, I know that D and I are oh so very blessed and in the end the material things really don't matter. I also know that everything is a test for us right now with our first home together. These little trials and tribulations are just quizzes for our next step when we eventually become home owners and not just renters.
Side note about the house: The neighbors that we have met so far have been really cool! (with the exception of one odd one next door with 4 dogs who love to bark at 3a.m.) We have met the guy who lives right next door with his sister. He has created a real MAN CAVE out of the garage and works mornings. Every evening when we have been getting home from work their garage door is open and he is just hanging out on the couch in the garage that is also equipped with a weight bench, full-sized fridge, TV, couple of chairs and i think a dart board. I haven't met the sister yet. Then we met our neighbor about 2 houses down, and one that lives across the street.
Tonight we are finally moving the TV to the house because the cable and internet guy is coming on Saturday. The exterminator is also coming on Saturday and an appliance man to fix our fridge....busy day, I know.
Wedding planning update: booked and met with and signed contract for the DJ. Seemed like a really cool guy. My mom did 100% of the leg work getting this guy and I was really glad with how it worked out. The next thing on our lists of to-dos is a florist as well as meeting with the wedding coordinator of our venue to get the tablecloths and center pieces picked. Theses two tasks, much to D's relief, will definately be a girl thing and I hope mom, mama, and sister will be around. All four BM's dresses have been ordered...D is scoping out tux places for the guys. Some upcoming DIY's (Do It Yourself's): Invitations, card box, favors, flower girl ball, pillow, unity candle...and more that I am forgetting for sure.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Art of a Good Marriage
I came across this passage today from a bride on theknot.com who is planning on using it during her wedding ceremony and I really like it. I don't want to use it for our ceremony because we are going to be doing more of a traditional ceremony, with possibly one exception which I don't really plan on revealing till the Big Day. Any how, I thought this was nice and reflective. I wish that I could say Dave and I practice ALL of these things, but we still have much growing to do as a couple and will just keep working at getting better towards the goal of preparing for a strong marriage. One thing that I have learned about us is that sometimes it is okay to go to bed slightly mad. I tend to get over my angry feelings better after a good night's rest and I'm able to talk about what is making me mad once I become more rational. Well enjoy:
Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created.
In marriage the little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted;
the courtship should not end with the honeymoon,
it should continue through the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family.
It is doing things for each other,
not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience,understanding and a sense of humor.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal,
dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.
- Wilferd Arlan Petersen
Friday, July 24, 2009
moving starts now.
today is the first day of a bunch of days that we will be moving! we get our keys today at 2pm and get to start paying rent and moving in :o). our lease does not end at our apartment till august 11 so we have an overlap of time that we can slowly begin setting up. however, i just found out that dave rented a uhaul over the weekend so it looks like we are going to try and get a majority of the work done this weekend! yaaaay. i am so ready to get out of this apartment, we just need more room and a yard. We have been living in 920 sq. ft. for the past 15 months and now we will have just over 1,300 square feet....woooohooo. 3 bedroom, 2 full baths, 2 car garage, fireplace (in central texas??? i know.) and a privay fenced in yard for Thor!!!! now we are only renting so i can't get too excited about decorating things and making it our own, but i am pretty excited about being able to do up our room and the guest room.
the best thing about getting out of our apartment ASAP is that we will have time to make the apartment like new again. it is going to take some SERIOUS work....in retrospect, we should have done some things differently in this apartment that primarily surround raising Thor. i use to hate locking him up for long days in the kennel so we would gate him in the kitchen...well he ate all of the molding there and has destoyed a cabinet door and our laundry room door, and our bathroom door (not in the kitchen area and a different incident.) we also have to repaint the accent wall in our living room that we painted sea green....and we need to fill a BUNCH of holes that Dave and JonO have drilled into the walls when setting up the surround sound. and then there is the carpet. which was brand new berber carpet, but not the high quality type that doesn't shed, and clogged up our vacuum after just 2-3 strokes everytime we vacuumed. it even continues to shed like that to this day, 15 months and tons of vacuuming later. so there are lots of little projects that we need to work on to hopefully not owe the apartment anymore money!
i also need to prepare the new house for is to move into it. the bathrooms and counters need to be cleaned and i want to vacuum everything before we start putting furniture down...so that is our plans for our busy weekend. yipeeee. i plan on taking pictures today before we start putting things in the house that i can hopefully upload here.
on a sad note, hardin has a growth on his foot that looks very much like a big blister...its disgusting and it's causing him to limp. a lot. i have an appointment scheduled for him at 2:20 today to hopefully get it taken care of...which reminds me i need to find his leash.
the best thing about getting out of our apartment ASAP is that we will have time to make the apartment like new again. it is going to take some SERIOUS work....in retrospect, we should have done some things differently in this apartment that primarily surround raising Thor. i use to hate locking him up for long days in the kennel so we would gate him in the kitchen...well he ate all of the molding there and has destoyed a cabinet door and our laundry room door, and our bathroom door (not in the kitchen area and a different incident.) we also have to repaint the accent wall in our living room that we painted sea green....and we need to fill a BUNCH of holes that Dave and JonO have drilled into the walls when setting up the surround sound. and then there is the carpet. which was brand new berber carpet, but not the high quality type that doesn't shed, and clogged up our vacuum after just 2-3 strokes everytime we vacuumed. it even continues to shed like that to this day, 15 months and tons of vacuuming later. so there are lots of little projects that we need to work on to hopefully not owe the apartment anymore money!
i also need to prepare the new house for is to move into it. the bathrooms and counters need to be cleaned and i want to vacuum everything before we start putting furniture down...so that is our plans for our busy weekend. yipeeee. i plan on taking pictures today before we start putting things in the house that i can hopefully upload here.
on a sad note, hardin has a growth on his foot that looks very much like a big blister...its disgusting and it's causing him to limp. a lot. i have an appointment scheduled for him at 2:20 today to hopefully get it taken care of...which reminds me i need to find his leash.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
20 Things Every Girl Should Do Before Marry
My absolute favorite morning show ever is on vacation right now so they are just running "Best Of..." clips. Because of this I was forced to listen to Mix 94.7, The JB & Sandy Morning Show, which honestly isn't really that bad either. I mainly don't like them as much because 1) it is primarily ran by two guys so it has a more manly vibe, 2) they are generally more conservative and judgmental, 3) the two guys are a little bit older (not that i don't LOVE older guys, but their age annoyingly shows) and 4) i just really like (LOVE) the Bobby Bones Morning Show.
So anyways, I had to drive to Lockhart today for a work-related errand and was in the car to listen. They did a list over the air about things that a woman should do or accomplish before she gets married. I thought it was neat and I was later able to find it on one of hosts' blogs. So here is what that list had to say as well as some of my commentary as well (where appropriate because my mother reads this!) ;o).
1. Live by herself for at least a year.
Nope, and no thank you.
2. Live with someone else for at least a year.
I've had 3 roommates before D and I started shacking up.
3. Recover from a broken heart.
Check.
4. Have a vacation fling.
I kinda dated a boy I traveled to Mexico with, if that counts. I wasn't technically on vacation.
5. Take a road-trip with a group of girlfriends.
Check! South Padre '06 13 of us convoyed there andd stayed at a rental house.
6. Relish sleeping in a queen-sized bed by herself.
I've relished sleeping in a full-sized bed by myself.
7. Get her finances in order.
Working on it.
8. Learn to love her body.
Check. Luckily, I've never had major body issues. It has always been my wonderland (per John Mayer).
9. Have a relationship with at least one person she’d never want to marry (or introduce to mom).
Um...not really.
10. Find reliable birth control.
It has worked so far! (knock on wood.)
11. Pay off as much credit card debt and student loans as possible.
Monthly.
12. Spend way too much on a something frivolous.
Does a pet count? Lol. I have too much buyers remorse to splurge too much.
13. Exorcise all past relationship demons.
For the most part, yes.
14. Travel somewhere exotic.
Tampico & Hawaii, lots of non-exotic travels elsewhere too.
15. Establish a strong circle of friends.
Yes, I feel like I have a few forever-friends and then my family also.
16. Forgive her parents for not being perfect.
My parents weren't perfect?? I don't really have any mommy or daddy issues, so: check.
17. Have at least one night she can’t quite remember.
Check.
18. Experience some really bad first dates.
I never really dated like that. Relationships just tended to evolve.
19. Find hobbies that fulfill her.
Running, shopping, hiking, outdoors stuff.
20. Celebrate her 25th birthday.
That's stupid.
So anyways, I had to drive to Lockhart today for a work-related errand and was in the car to listen. They did a list over the air about things that a woman should do or accomplish before she gets married. I thought it was neat and I was later able to find it on one of hosts' blogs. So here is what that list had to say as well as some of my commentary as well (where appropriate because my mother reads this!) ;o).
1. Live by herself for at least a year.
Nope, and no thank you.
2. Live with someone else for at least a year.
I've had 3 roommates before D and I started shacking up.
3. Recover from a broken heart.
Check.
4. Have a vacation fling.
I kinda dated a boy I traveled to Mexico with, if that counts. I wasn't technically on vacation.
5. Take a road-trip with a group of girlfriends.
Check! South Padre '06 13 of us convoyed there andd stayed at a rental house.
6. Relish sleeping in a queen-sized bed by herself.
I've relished sleeping in a full-sized bed by myself.
7. Get her finances in order.
Working on it.
8. Learn to love her body.
Check. Luckily, I've never had major body issues. It has always been my wonderland (per John Mayer).
9. Have a relationship with at least one person she’d never want to marry (or introduce to mom).
Um...not really.
10. Find reliable birth control.
It has worked so far! (knock on wood.)
11. Pay off as much credit card debt and student loans as possible.
Monthly.
12. Spend way too much on a something frivolous.
Does a pet count? Lol. I have too much buyers remorse to splurge too much.
13. Exorcise all past relationship demons.
For the most part, yes.
14. Travel somewhere exotic.
Tampico & Hawaii, lots of non-exotic travels elsewhere too.
15. Establish a strong circle of friends.
Yes, I feel like I have a few forever-friends and then my family also.
16. Forgive her parents for not being perfect.
My parents weren't perfect?? I don't really have any mommy or daddy issues, so: check.
17. Have at least one night she can’t quite remember.
Check.
18. Experience some really bad first dates.
I never really dated like that. Relationships just tended to evolve.
19. Find hobbies that fulfill her.
Running, shopping, hiking, outdoors stuff.
20. Celebrate her 25th birthday.
That's stupid.
Monday, July 13, 2009
wedding on my brain
seems like everything i think about and focus on, and get distracted by pertains to the wedding. whew....i admire those who have long engagements, there is no way i could be this distracted for that long. 180 days more. that still feels like a long time, however we have a couple events coming up that will provide a little break from the wedding planning.
Saturday and Sunday coming up Dave and I are going to go to Oklahoma City and meet my parents there for a mini weekend getaway. we are planning on watching a USA Women's Softball Tourney and doing some sightseeing, possibly having dinner with some of Dave's college buddies and swimming. it's Monday and I'm already looking forward to the weekend. (story of my life).
this past weekend was very productive and exhausting as always. early Saturday morning Dave i loaded up Thor and headed to San Antonio. we had an appointment with our possible photographer at our wedding ceremony location and then we had an appointment at our reception site venue to show my mom and grandmother (and aunt and uncle and 4 cousins, and sister).
the thing about my family, which i would never trade for the world, is we have a habit of making most events a "Mexican field trip". my grandmothers house is usually bursting at the seams on the weekends and when going places almost always everyone tags along. it is so much fun! one of the great things about this weekend was we were able to show one of our ring bearers, Adan, and flower girl, Kelsi, where they would be walking in the church. i think it helped to easy a little of their anxiety about my wedding. that and i have had to bribe both Adan and Kelsi with 5 bucks :o). later after we dropped off the guys we went and did a little shopping for the flower girls dresses...and found them! perfect. check.
Saturday evening about 16 of us went for dinner at little red barn in San Antonio. we took both sets of grandparents and it was good to see everyone. Dave and i didn't plan to stay the night in San Antonio, but it got late after we got back from dinner. it was a better idea to get some sleep rather than face driving through Austin on a Saturday night.
Sunday once we got back to the apartment we were beat so we did some of our obligatory running around. dog food, groceries, best buy. and then went home to get some down time in before the week start. laundry, dishes and tidying up got done and then we were able to watch the 2ND disc of True Blood.
once Dave and I get back from Oklahoma city we must start packing and getting ready for the move into our new house. new to us, and not quite ours, but nonetheless exciting. the thing about the house that many people may not understand is the relief it will be for us as owners of a huge puppy dog. Thor requires a lot of work, a lot more work than i have ever had to do for the poodles that i have owned. i also think that i am very determined on raising him to the best of my ability because of his breed and for the reason that eventually Dave and i would like to introduce babies to our household. a rottweiler is such a wonderful animal, if raised responsibly. i am very lucky that Dave knows how to discipline him and train him, however, i am the one who tends to his exercising needs. once we have that fenced in yard in a couple of weeks my life will become 20times easier. i won't have to wake up at 5:30 am any more to take him for walks and runs. i can just throw him in the backyard! we also won't have to go to the dog park nearly as much because of the yard. i still would like to go to the dog park at least once a week to continue to socialize him.
Dave and i recently joined a recreational softball league and tonight is our first game! I'm beyond excited! i played rec league for 3 seasons while in college, but i did not play my senior year and did not play while i was in grad school. i looked around for leagues, but nothing would ever work with my schedule. we have just fallen into a routine because we are both done with school, and with our jobs and a friend asked us to join. it seemed perfect and tonight is the first game. our season is 10 weeks long and we play 8 games during this time, every Monday. i think i may be playing second base which should be fun! i am usually on the left side of the field somewhere, however i get hesitant to play there when playing coed. (this fear originates from getting popped in the collarbone by Ryan when i was pitching to him in high school). i think our team's name is Austin Heat....wish us luck!
Saturday and Sunday coming up Dave and I are going to go to Oklahoma City and meet my parents there for a mini weekend getaway. we are planning on watching a USA Women's Softball Tourney and doing some sightseeing, possibly having dinner with some of Dave's college buddies and swimming. it's Monday and I'm already looking forward to the weekend. (story of my life).
this past weekend was very productive and exhausting as always. early Saturday morning Dave i loaded up Thor and headed to San Antonio. we had an appointment with our possible photographer at our wedding ceremony location and then we had an appointment at our reception site venue to show my mom and grandmother (and aunt and uncle and 4 cousins, and sister).
the thing about my family, which i would never trade for the world, is we have a habit of making most events a "Mexican field trip". my grandmothers house is usually bursting at the seams on the weekends and when going places almost always everyone tags along. it is so much fun! one of the great things about this weekend was we were able to show one of our ring bearers, Adan, and flower girl, Kelsi, where they would be walking in the church. i think it helped to easy a little of their anxiety about my wedding. that and i have had to bribe both Adan and Kelsi with 5 bucks :o). later after we dropped off the guys we went and did a little shopping for the flower girls dresses...and found them! perfect. check.
Saturday evening about 16 of us went for dinner at little red barn in San Antonio. we took both sets of grandparents and it was good to see everyone. Dave and i didn't plan to stay the night in San Antonio, but it got late after we got back from dinner. it was a better idea to get some sleep rather than face driving through Austin on a Saturday night.
Sunday once we got back to the apartment we were beat so we did some of our obligatory running around. dog food, groceries, best buy. and then went home to get some down time in before the week start. laundry, dishes and tidying up got done and then we were able to watch the 2ND disc of True Blood.
once Dave and I get back from Oklahoma city we must start packing and getting ready for the move into our new house. new to us, and not quite ours, but nonetheless exciting. the thing about the house that many people may not understand is the relief it will be for us as owners of a huge puppy dog. Thor requires a lot of work, a lot more work than i have ever had to do for the poodles that i have owned. i also think that i am very determined on raising him to the best of my ability because of his breed and for the reason that eventually Dave and i would like to introduce babies to our household. a rottweiler is such a wonderful animal, if raised responsibly. i am very lucky that Dave knows how to discipline him and train him, however, i am the one who tends to his exercising needs. once we have that fenced in yard in a couple of weeks my life will become 20times easier. i won't have to wake up at 5:30 am any more to take him for walks and runs. i can just throw him in the backyard! we also won't have to go to the dog park nearly as much because of the yard. i still would like to go to the dog park at least once a week to continue to socialize him.
Dave and i recently joined a recreational softball league and tonight is our first game! I'm beyond excited! i played rec league for 3 seasons while in college, but i did not play my senior year and did not play while i was in grad school. i looked around for leagues, but nothing would ever work with my schedule. we have just fallen into a routine because we are both done with school, and with our jobs and a friend asked us to join. it seemed perfect and tonight is the first game. our season is 10 weeks long and we play 8 games during this time, every Monday. i think i may be playing second base which should be fun! i am usually on the left side of the field somewhere, however i get hesitant to play there when playing coed. (this fear originates from getting popped in the collarbone by Ryan when i was pitching to him in high school). i think our team's name is Austin Heat....wish us luck!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
12:34.56 7/8/9....10!!!
So...I got a cool idea from Jason Mraz's blog (click here). Today is July 8, 2009...also 7-8-9. So some MATH dork realized that today at 12:34 pm and 56 seconds that the time and date together would be 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9...actually very very very cool. Right? Well, on his blog he was inspired to jot down 10 things "grateful for today, for summer, for love, and for reasons that don’t need explaining." He also inspired me to do the same.
1. coffee and hazelnut flavored splenda
2. carpooling with my fiance every morning and evening even though we usually want to kill each other over the radio and each other's driving
3. the bobbybones show and their podcast (click here to check 'em out)
4. lunch date with Sam. i just found out that she is temping not even 1 mile away from my office! we had our first lunch date, and she ends that position in three weeks. must squeeze more in.
5. Jimmy John's Salt and Vinegar chips.
6. gas going down a little bit
7. Pandora (dot) com...best streaming radio station without commercials. can be tailored to meet your listening needs (click it)
8. my mom and sister texting me throughout the day
9. being healthy
and
10. being greeted by Thor & Hardin at home at the end of the day. their unconditional love usually makes them forget&forgive being locked up for 10 hours m-f.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Summertime Thor
This is what Thor looks like in the summer, or anytime it is hotter than 85 degrees or so:
Today was 103 degrees. GOD Bless Texas :o)....
I feel like a YEEEHAW would sound right after a sentence like that.
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