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! 

I'm just a girlfriend again.

Not really.  I'll get to that in juuuuust a minute.
The weather certainly behaved this weekend which is more than I can say for a very unruly canine and a wild feline that reside with us.  Dale apparently has made the decision recently to decide if and when he wants to obey.  Bill chose a long time ago that living with his life in danger is much more fitting for him...soooo, he spends most of his days testing my patience and as well as my skills at chase.  What these four legged fur babies don't realize is that I'm bigger, faster, and I have an opposable thumb which gives me the capability to do much more - including opening and closing doors.  While it makes me feel better to shut them in the bad pet room, it only really has an effect on Dale.  Bill uses this as an opportunity to do things that all cats do...you know - like body slams into the door and such. 
Moving on, we had a really great weekend!  We went to grill out at Staci and Brian's with the rest of the family.  It was so nice outside.  I joked that I'm just a girlfriend again because my ring is being sized and I won't get it back until March 10th.  I'm going to try to note a few "firsts" as they come along.  Today I have two.  They may be really silly to someone else, but I just never want to forget them.  Alright, Sappy Suzy is signing off.

*I got my first Valentine's card that said, "To My Wife."  I cried.  Lots.  Do you know how awesome it is to be a wife to such a sweet, wonderful man?  Takes my breath away, seriously.

Sunshine Days

Wow, the weather is nothing less than spectacular this week!  What a blessing!  I feel like only today has life slowed down a bit since becoming a little fiance' last Friday. 
Everything with school this week is going great and surprisingly smooth for some strange reason. 
The boyz are doing well.  CJ decided that Dale stinks last week so now he thinks he can smell him from a few feet away.  Impossible!  Regardless, he's getting a bath this weekend which was probably the hidden motive behind it all to begin with.  Last night I had the glass door open and screen door shut to enjoy some fresh air only to later find that Bill decided to open the sliding screen over so that he could go outside to play.  As I was about to go look for him I heard a passing fire truck and within minutes the scared little feline was at the back door meowing. 
We've booked a place for the wedding and reception.  We've managed to keep our guest list small so that everything can remain romantic and intimate.  We're working on booking our catering company now.  Thanks to the help of some really amazing girls, this is super easy.  I'm not going to stress about anything now that we have our venue because 1) Going to school full time has to remain my top priority and 2) I honestly don't care about anything else!  My future sister in law, who just happens to be one of my best friends and bridesmaids is planning us a super cute engagement party and I can't wait to post details on that as well.  I'm so thankful to have such a great group of amazing women around me during this time.  CJ is also being involved and being such a sweetheart about everything. 
No idea what weekend plans are yet - but I know I must take pictures.  Gosh, we need a new camera!  Ok, ok...back to workland.

We're ENGAGED!

AHHHH!
Friday night I was getting ready for dinner.  CJ came upstairs and said, "Are you going to be fancy and wear your diamond necklace tonight?"  (sidenote:  He bought me a beautiful diamond cross necklace for my birthday two years ago)  I said, "yes," and reached for it, assuming he was about to put it on for me.  He then said, "You know what would make you look more fancy?"  I said, "what?"  Before I had time to think, he reached in his pocket for the ring and asked me to be his wife!  We put the ring down and cried for a minute before I even asked to see the ring.  He put it on my shaking finger and I became his fiance!  After, I couldn't think straight.  I asked him what to do next - he told me to call my parents - good idea! 
We went on to dinner with his sister and brother in law (Staci and Brian) and two other friends, one being my friend Jill.  I was trying to hide my finger until we were seated at a table.  There was an hour wait, I could barely stand it anymore!  I was showing Staci my nails with my right hand.  She asked to see my left.  I was hesitant at first, then went ahead with my left hand.  I think there was shock on every one's faces for about thirty seconds before anything was said!  We continued to have a really great time that night, telling friends and hugging each other every two minutes. 
Yesterday we went to my parent's house to show them the ring.  They were both really happy for us.  After that we went to CJ's mom's house to show her and CJ's youngest sister, Rachel.  It was so nice actually feeling more like part of CJ's family now! 
We got home around 5 and were so tired...so we ordered Chinese take out and watched a movie.  It was PERFECT. 
We've been talking about being engaged all weekend.  He told me the story about how he went to visit my dad at work to ask if he could marry his daughter.  He went twice actually because the first time my dad wasn't there.  So sweet.  He told me the story about picking out my ring.  So cute.  He told me the story about how he put the box that held the ring under the couch Friday afternoon so he could easily get to it when he wanted to propose only to have the cat get it and carry it a few feet away so that when he went to get it he thought he lost it!  So scary!  He also told me he wasn't nervous or worried at all, only excited.  He told me he couldn't wait.
I'm so thankful and so incredibly blessed to have such an amazing man ask me to be his wife.  I've dreamed about what this would be like since I was a little girl.  I'm so excited to be so loved.
Enjoy your week...I will!