2 weeks to go

but who is counting? I am....Feels like I will never get everything together although we have a huge amount of things done. Granted alot of things can't be done until the last minute....but still it keeps your stress level high. Anyway, I think I am okay. Today is one of those days that I need...a day at home.

Last night we went out and did a little bit more shopping and exchaging things. I had my final fitting this past week, so I should be able to go and pick the dress up early next week although I might not get it until Saturday. It should be all pressed and ready to go. Although not sure how it will fare on the airplane to Kentucky. So might have to have it repressed once I get there. Oh well. Has anyone ever taken a wedding dress on a plane or no of anyone who did? How did it go?

Decided to stay home today. Told Michael that I wanted a day to stay home and clean my house, so Tori and I have been up this morning cleaning bathrooms, picking up clutter, dusting, ect. I still need to do my floors this weekend as well as finish up laundry. I have already done three loads this morning, my bed is loaded down, it might take me forever to put it all away. Not to mention all the clothes I have to pack for our trip is on there as well. I have been up since around 4 and it is now 10:30 and I am getting sleepy, but at the same time I can't sit still. Thinking I might have to lay down and grab a nap, but I do want to get over to the tanning bed today to get a little bit more sun. I have gone a couple times already but would like to get in a couple more visits before leaving. Just would like to have a little color on my shoulders and arms for my dress.

I am planning on letting Tori do my makeup for the wedding. I love the way she does her eyes. They look so much better than how I do mine, so she practiced one night this week on me. She did a good job, but I think I will have her go a little heavier on my eye makeup than she originally did. I think she is scared to do mine. :) But I really want the eyes to stand out. This will be the first time that they haven't been hid behind glasses and so I want to enhance them. Granted I don't want to over do it though.

We got our wedding bands this week. Actually I posted a pic of Michael's earlier in the week. In case you missed it, you can see it to the left. His is two toned with silver in the middle holding the 5 diamonds. Encased in yellow gold. It looks so pretty, this picture doesn't do it justice. My wedding band is yellow gold with 4 diamonds in it. At the moment, I don't have a picture of it...but maybe I can get on or find one online to show you.

I found out Thursday at work that the folks I work for are having a potluck for me on the 8th of April. I thought that was sweet. Not necessary but sweet just the same. I only have next week of work, and then I will be there the following week only on Tuesday (8th). Monday the 7th I have to be in court again for the accident I was in last year. Trying to get out of it, because I would rather work than take a day of leave. But the attorney isn't sure she will drop the supeona. Guess we will see. Michael and I will fly out the afternoon on the 9th...so thinking I will take that day off to make sure I have everything done that I need to do, plus try to rest because I know when I get to Kentucky we will be going non-stop.

I hope you are all having a great weekend. Gonna go for now, might be back later. Will try to get by and visit with you this weekend.

Hugs!

Bits and Pieces

Happy Tuesday.  Just popping on to say hi and let you all know that I am still alive.  I haven't been feeling great.  Not sick, just extremely tired and sluggish.  Not sure what the culprit is, but I really need to get over it. 

Tonight I played hooky from a meeting just to stay home and play on the computer.  I had some things that I needed to get done before they got away from me.  So that was accomplished. 

I am glad that tomorrow is Wednesday, the half point of the week.  At this point, I plan to run some errands after work tomorrow (must do's) and also see if I can set up a final fitting for my dress on Thursday before it goes to be pressed. 

Our passports came in on Monday...the application was only gone for a week.  I can't believe it.  I was so glad that they got here as fast as they did, because Michael and I dawdled applying for them.  Now we should be able to get to Cancun.  :)

 

Today I made a few minor changes and added a few things to my blog.  It was in much need of some fixes.  Hopefully I got that done.  I also made a post at my homemaking site. Check it out here if you have time.  I also added a new section in the right hand column Blog Land.  There are some neat little places to visit for some cool things for your blog as well as some useful sites to help with tips and tricks and tutorials. 

Well I need to get myself ready to go to bed...so I will bid you a goodnight and hope you have a wonderful Wednesday.

 

Hugs!

Cindy

A wonderful find online

I'm back. I can't believe how long it has been since my last post, but it has been awhile. At this time in my life, I am super busy so don't have as much time to play and update my blogs as I would like too. But occasionally when I have a few minutes that I can surf the net, I seem to find things that capture my heart. For instance, I found this photo of a secretary that I would love to have, or something similar.

Of course when I saw it my mind started reeling with ideas. First thing I thought of is: I need to put that on my yard sale and thrift shopping list. It is getting about that time of the year, and I can't wait. Anyway, isn't this lovely?

About this time of the year, my creative juices start flowing and I want to dig into some projects for the home. Michael and I have done several big projects (renovating this house from top to bottom) But I many smaller projects to take on. One of them is organizing my craft area. It is small so I want to utilize it as well as I can. This past fall, Michael added me a built in work table and shelves. I not only have room for my craft tools, I also have room for ALL my gift wrap and bags.Which was wonderful at Christmas. Now what I really need is a ribbon center like this on in the picture. Someday my goal is to have a whole room dedicated to my crafts. "Craft Central" I think I will call it. I just love those bright green walls. So cheery. Who wouldn't enjoy working in this room all day.

I want to share one of my favorite sites with you. I check Alison out frequently. Although she hasn't posted in bit, she has some wonderful pictures on her blog that she shares of her home. Check out My Cozy Home.

Happy Decorating!

Cindy

Odds and Ends

Hi ya'll. Just popping in to say hello and let you know that I am still alive. Today was a rough day for me. I have had a hard time staying focused and awake. All I have wanted to do today was sleep. Ugh! I hate days like that because I am not very productive. And believe me, I need to be productive now.

Today did bring some good news though, Michael and I waited about getting our passports, mainly because of time allowance....but we did go and apply for them last week. Guess what, they came today. Now that was fast!

Michael's wedding band got here last week. I just love it. Can't wait to give it to him. It will be funny in some ways seeing him in it because he doesn't wear jewelry. So I wanted to get something that wasn't huge but had some bling just the same. He told me this is the first time he has ever had diamonds.

Ladies, I can't tell you how much I feel out of touch with things. I have so much that I want/need to do to update and share on my blog but just don't have the time. I really am missing it. I have a small treasure of some new sites that I would like feature....but all in due time.

Well it is way past my bedtime, but took a nap today so not really sleepy now, but I know 4 AM will come early. So I will bid you a good night. Hope you all have a blessed Tuesday!

P.S. To do my post tonight I used the Windows Live writer. Love that tool! You can check it out here.

Love and Hugs!

Blessed Easter

Praise God, HE IS RISEN!

Wishing each of you a blessed Easter with your family and friends.


DISCLAIMER: Graphic Video

Blessings,
Cindy

Wedding, Again!

Hi all...did you think I forgot about you? No, really I haven't, but just haven't had any free time for the computer unless it involves looking up something for the wedding or honeymoon, etc. Anyway, I just feel terrible that I don't have a clue as what is going on with most of you. Forgive me for not being around, and know that when things slow down some I will get by to visit and check up on ya. But for me, if I get on the computer I can lose alot of precious time just 'visiting and playing'. So try to keep to my list in the evenings so I can accomplish as much as possible at a given time. Each day brings a new list. :)

This past weekend was a productive weekend for me. We didn't go to Philly to see the Spurs so I took care of some much needed things on my "blessings" list. On Saturday morning I went to get my hair cut/trimmed and highlighted. Looks much better, if I say so myself. I also took Tori shopping for her dress and we found one. WooHoo! It's simply beautiful, but it is going to need some alterations to the length, so if it can't be done then we have a back up dress. Either one will be pretty for the wedding and they both look great on her. So that is taken care of. The week before I had searched everywhere for some shoes so that I could take them to my fitting last week...and couldn't find anything. Michael if you are reading this stop now. To view my dress click here. Anyway, Saturday night while I was out looking for Tori's dress, I found a pair that I really liked, no actually fell in love with . Granted I didn't want open toed, but these were on sale and so pretty, I couldn't resist...so now a pedicure is in store for me. You'll find pedicures on my "Kentucky list of things to do".

I think Michael and I have just about got all major decisions made and all the airline tickets bought and honeymoon planned...so now it is all the loose little things to do. On Sunday I went out for a while and did some shopping for some clothes for the honeymoon, but really need to pick up some more things, shoes, makeup, suntan lotion, bathing suit, things of this nature. So we are planning to do that this weekend. The wedding is in just over three weeks. So I want to have everything done that needs to be done from our end by next week, so I can concentrate on getting all my packing done, as well as help Tori pack.

Michael and I will head to Kentucky the evening of the 9th of April, and the kids will fly down the evening of the 10th of April. Rehearsal will be on the 11th and the wedding on the 12th. The kids fly back to Baltimore on the 13th and we fly to CANCUN at the same time. We will be there from the 13th until the 19th in which we fly back to Nashville for a 5 hour lay over, so we will go out to dinner with my family ( they will all travel down to meet us/plus sister lives there) before heading back to Baltimore later that night. So I think that is our plans for now.

Besides the wedding, things are busy as ever. Tori is busy with school and her cosmetology class and 'travel' cheer squad. Plus it is that time of the year when they are bombarded by dances and fund raisers at the school. Plus she has been practicing her driving so that she can take her driving test. Believe me, I am not ready for that. The week before the wedding she is flying to Kentucky with her dad to go to the UK (University of Kentucky) cheer camp. She is really looking forward to this and I am sure it will quite informative for her. So as you can see, I have my hands in quite a bit with her.

Hope you all are having a wonderful week...and I saving things to share here once I have time and the wedding is behind me. Bear with me.

Time is flying by

Where is the time going? I have so much going on and my mind is rattled but other than that, I am doing great. I realized that one month from now, I am going to married again. WHEW! Hard to believe that it is coming along so quickly. Everyday there has been something that I have had to do, but today, I came home from work and took a nap and just have been hanging out. I actually just got out of the shower, had to wash this hair...but I wanted to get that down so that I could try to watch AI tonight. Actually I am watching last night show as I type this.

Tomorrow, I am going in for my dress fitting and I am taking Tori with me, because afterwards we are going dress shopping for her. She is going to be my maid of honor and we still have to find something for her. I hope we can find something that we both can agree on.

Depending on what is going on this weekend, I might go and get my hair cut and get it highlighted...but if not this weekend, it will be next week. Michael said something about trying to get tickets to go see the San Antonio Spurs in Philly, this weekend as they are playing in there.

I am so sorry I haven't had time to get around to visit or to even update my blog lately. Just way to much going on. But I have really missed it and checking in with you.

I have been spending as much time as possible reading these days. I have been reading two different Elizabeth George books. Almost finished with the second one. I have read her book on prayer and " A woman after God's heart". If you haven't read them, I recommend them to you. Both are excellent books and Elizabeth has a way of relating God's intention for us in such a way that it is easy to read and understand. I have thoroughly enjoyed them. I have made a concious decision this year to balance out my life with my priorities as well a dedicate time each day with the Lord. I have had times throughout my life where I felt my life was more aligned with God's plan, but over recent years it kinda slipped away....and my heart has graved for that relationship again. Thus, I have been diligently seeking his will in my life and for my family's. I find when I have a few minutes of spare time these days, that is where you will find me, with a book in my hand trying to learn. I just want to stay "teachable".

Well, there is much more going on, but will stop for now. Hoping that I will get back here soon.

Have a great rest of the week.

Back home!

Wow what a busy several days I have had.! Not sure where to actually start . Michael and I arrived back in Maryland late last night to quite a "treat" from my adorable furry pal, Mocha. She left us several care packages if you know what I mean. Ugh! So guess what Michael and I were doing around midnight last night. Shampooing carpets. Yeppers. I ended up getting to bed late but fortunately I didn't go in to work today as early as I normally do. I just needed to get some sleep. If I had it to do over I would have stayed home...just feeling kinda run down...but I am sure once I get back into the swing of things I will be fine

A little rundown of my trip, friday night we arrived in Houston about 8:30 pm. I was so glad to finally be there because it was a long day. Anyway, when we got there, we visited with the family and Betty. She seemed to be doing well, but you can never tell when someone is in pain. As we found out with being there several days she was taking some powerful pain medication. But she was a trooper and we loved the time we got to spend with her. She gave Michael 'her' ring to give to me right after we arrived. I ended up having to have it sized so we took it out on Saturday morning for resizing. I will have to get Michael to take a picture of it, as it is definitely unique and no other one is like it. It still means so much to me that she wanted me to have it. Still I feel it is a honor.

Later on Saturday afternoon we got word that Grandmom had past away. She had really been going downhill since last week. But God has a wonderful and remarkable way of working things out in his timing. Since I already planned on being in Ky. on Monday and Tuesday and her viewing and burial were then. So it worked that I could be there for that as well as take care of the wedding preparations that we needed to take care of. I am so thankful that my hometown isn't a big place,so we could take care of what needed to be taken care of it a matter of hours. We got to the florist and ordered my alter and reception hall decorations. I went with tulips as my flowers. I love tulips and since it is spring I thought this would be very springy. I am going to do hycinths on the reception tables in assorted purples and pinks. The florist had some pictures of some weddings they had done in the past using tulips and it looked so nice. Very elegent and simple. That is the look I am striving for. Simple and sweet and not overly done.

We are going to have a rehearsal dinner at the church afterwards and it will be catered. Got the menu in place for that. I also am having a small reception with cake and goodies after the wedding on Saturday but afterwards we are going to have a dinner at a resturant in town(as most of our guest are from out of town). We went to the location and reserved the hall and set a menu. Whew! We also checked with the local hotels to reserve a block of rooms for out of town guest and we ordered the tuxes and Michael got fitted. We also had to run to the county clerks office to see what we needed to do to get our marriage license, since we don't live there. Got that taken care of too. So as you can see this was a busy trip. I know there is much more, but this was the highlights. Anyway, Michael and I still have quite a bit to do but we will get it done. Only five more weeks.

This weekend, I have to find shoes and lingerie to wear under the gown so that I have them for my fitting next week. We still need to get our wedding bands, and Tori's dress and shoes, and all the incidentals that go with that. I still haven't decided what I want for my hair....but will decide. The one and major thing I fear is that since I am older and this is a second wedding, I don't want it to look like I am a young adult doing this for the first time. I am just trying to stay true to myself and what I like and keeping it simple, incorporating a few things that I really like from larger weddings.

Not planning on doing much the rest of this week other than work...I need to give myself a little break from the wedding plans. I will work more on the plans this weekend. My house really needs a good cleaning but will work on that this weekend too....I plan to spend some time over the next several days catching up with emails and such. I have a ton to go through that is the worst thing when you go on a trip and can't check your mail properly and open your inbox to 3 or 4 hundred emails. YIKES! So need to get through those. I also got backed up on my bible reading, so actually played catch up with that this morning. Now I am back on schedule.


I am sitting here watching American Idol while writing this....so if it doesn't make alot of sense you understand why. Actually Michael and I have been watching the ones we recorded to get up to date. Now I am caught up, watching the current show of the girls. I thought last nights show with the boys was actually good. So far this one has been just okay for me. I think I really like this Carly. Can we do something about the tattoo though? Its so distracting.

Before I leave, can I ask you all to please remember Michael's mom again in prayer, she went back to the doctor today for more chemo and test, we don't have any news yet how things went today, but just praying that she isn't in any pain, and that the chemo will continue to reduce the tumor she has. She really wants to be at the wedding so praying it works so that she can be there.

Hope you all are having a awesome rest of the week. I will try to stop in and visit with you all soon.

God Bless and hugs!