New Orleans

I knew that I wanted to make CJ's birthday extra special this year.  For the past two months CJ's family and I have been planning CJ's surprise 30th birthday trip to New Orleans.  We booked our (awesome) hotel and couldn't stop talking about how much fun our trip would be. 
Well.  Last night, CJ found out!  It was purely accidental.  He knew from the beginning that I was taking him on a trip.  He didn't know where, and thought that it was just the two of us.  He's so excited that Staci, Brian, his mom, and aunt are all going to NOLA to celebrate his 30th!  He can't wait...we both can't!  So, here in just a few weeks we'll be walking around New Orleans shopping and dining on some cajun cuisine!  Our first trip as an engaged couple:)

Eeeeek!

Guess what this weekend is?  Our engagement party!

We are so excited to celebrate such a fun time in our lives with people that mean so much to us!  I have been looking forward to this party for a month.  I even have family from Mississippi coming in town...I feel so special.   

Bliss

We had such a fun last weekend!
We started our registry Saturday morning.  We've talked about that day for a long time.  Every time we found ourselves needing something we would say, 'when we get married we can register for it.'  Ha!  While it was a lot of fun, it was such a special time.  So surreal.  We have an appointment in two weeks to finish up and I'm looking forward to it! 
The first week I was engaged I felt like I had to have the wedding planned and paid for by the next weekend.  Thanks to my amazing fiance's words and encouragement I've started to settle down.  I know everything will be perfect and beautiful.  I feel more relaxed about it and want to be sure that I enjoy every second of this year with planning, showers, parties, and family time.  This all will only happen once and I want to bask in all the sweet details and memories that will lead up to our special day.
Saturday night we went to Cafe Lazio for dinner with Adam, Meredith, Jill and Katie.  We told stories and laughed all night...or until 10!  

Sunday my mom came over to bring Dale back (he had been vacationing with his grandparents) and to play some tennis with CJ.  It was so beautiful outside and I enjoyed watching my mom and fiance laugh and play a few games of tennis together. 

I think Dale is happy to be back.  I know a certain little black cat who was excited to have him home.  We're going to CJ's mom's  tonight for dinner and I can't wait!

Novel News

The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein

If you are an animal lover, more specifically a dog lover - you must read this book.  This book will always have a special place in my heart.  I look forward to reading it over and over.  It's one of those books that make you laugh and cry; not cry because it's so sad, but more because it's so touching.  Because it's told from a dog's point of view, it made me look at myself and my actions differently...as well as Dale's actions.  I know it sounds rediculous, but I honestly believe that Dale is different from most dogs.  He is really sensitive to emotions - I think he can smell my mood and knows from there what to do.  He's the smartest, kindest, most hilarious dog I've ever known.  Of course, he's not above normal dog behavior - he still licks himself in front of company and urinates in pet stores...this in mind, he still behaves better than a lot of humans I know!  I've been so lucky to be his mom for eight sweet years and look forward to more!      

Spring Favorites

I like the weather that Spring offers, but usually not much else.  I don't like the pollen or the idea in my head that summer is upon us.  Summer down here is not enjoyable unless there is a lake/beach/pool to be near.  It's icky, sweaty, and everyone stinks when they come inside from being outdoors.  Shorts are also harder to find every year.  Let's face it, I'm no spring chicken anymore and I can't be parading around in shorts that have lesss fabric than some of my under garments.  Thank you, J.Crew and Gap for providing me with shorts that have a substancial amount of fabric on them.  Back to my original idea - here I will post things that make me smile that the weather is warming. 



Gap Bloomer Shorts

 


Colorful Wreathes



D&B Satchel




Guess Nude Pumps


 

Can we register on Etsy.com?  Love this!



Ok, so there you have it.  I could go on, but you get the idea!

A big thank you to...

CJ's sweet sister and one of my best friends, Staci is throwing us an engagement party and we're so excited!  The invites were mailed out yesterday (thanks to CJ's mom!) and they are so adorable.  We can't wait to see everyone and celebrate the fact that CJ has asked me to spend the rest of our lives together!  We are also very thankful that Staci took the time and spent the money putting all of this together.  She has two (beautiful) kids, works full time and is trying to get her house ready to sell right now so I know it wasn't easy finding the time to plan our party.  Fortunately for us, she's a go getter and managed it all!  Thank you, Staci!
We went to grill out at Meredith and Adam's Saturday night and had the best burgers.  CJ and I talked about them the next day.  We'll have to remember that marinade!  We always have so much fun with them.  I  think the last thirty minutes we were there, we laughed so hard it could have been an ab workout!  Meredith gave me the cutest Bridal Planner book.  I've already started using it.  It's perfect for a little OCD bride to be like me.  It seems like every time we go to Meredith's we're leaving with a new bowl, pan - or in this case, a wedding organizer!  Thank you, Meredith! 
My sweet mom has been buying me clothes left and right for the engagement party and engagement pictures...and I guess for any other reason she can think of right now.  She has really great taste, too!  She actually called me one day to tell me she found my wedding dress and sent me to try it on the next day.  Surely enough, it was the one.  We're both going to check it out this week together and hopefully purchase what I don't mind calling the most beautiful wedding gown I've ever seen.
As far as updates around the house go...School is coming to an end for the semester.  CJ and the boyz are doing well.  I can't wait to get home, get my workout and run over with - and relax with my sweet angels.

Upgrade.

As soon as I typed that I started singing Beyonce's 'Upgrade' song.  I hope it's not stuck in my head all night.  I really, really hope it's not.
In with the old and out with the new...I love the new blog!  I haven't posted in a bit because I was waiting for the blog upgrade people to do their thing.  I'm back in business, baby!
First things first.  I got my ring back!  It was off being sized for what felt like 8769 years.  It's actually still a little big, but I'll deal with it for a bit.  I've missed my sparkler!
I've also lost a little over ten pounds and still have five more to go.  I'm really proud of myself and can't wait to see the final results.  I feel so much more healthy without that holiday fluff.  Who am I kidding?  More like last year's fluff.
Thanks to my friend Jill, I've discovered gel polish.  It's the best thing since sliced bread!  I really don't think sliced bread is that amazing.  Maybe the best thing since straighteners...chi, of course.  Back to my point, it's a manicure that is chip resistant and wears for a good two weeks.  I'm OCD, so painting my own nails is out of the question.  I've tried, it takes over an hour and still looks sloppy.  It also dries immediately, so no worrying about messing your new manicure up.  Sweet!
The animals are fantastic.  Bill was without wet food for several days and refused to eat his dry food in the mean time.  He also refused treats.  Just as I thought he was giving up eating in general for lent, CJ brought him home his special kitty wet food and the cat ate the whole can. 
This weekend - Friday night we're giong on our sweet date night.  Saturday night we're heading over to Meredith and Adam's to grill out.  I can't wait!  I love having such good friends live so close.  I also love that it's so much fun hanging out with them.
CJ and I are getting excited about a few upcoming things.  I'll have to get into that more later.  Right now, I'm going to finish up some homework and order Papa Johns.  Oh, that slice of pizza is going to be like heaven!