I had a childhood memory the other day that made me laugh out loud. I don't know where it came from but it just hit me so vividly. When I was little I LOVED playing school. We had a playroom in our basement with half of the playroom being dedicated to my classroom. I so wish I had pictures of my classroom to show you. I had a teacher's desk and 2 other desks for my "students." I remember countless trips to the teacher's supply store with my mom to buy grading wheels, grading books, lesson plan books, bulletin board decorations, etc. And to top that off, my Aunt Linda was a school teacher and principal so she also gave me lots of items to use in my classroom. I was a lucky girl!
But what I remember specifically was the summer before I entered sixth grade I taught summer school in my classroom. I was so excited for summer school and had everything all planned out. We had different projects to complete, a couple of field trips - you know, stuff to make it fun because it's summer school. What makes me laugh the most about my memory is that before my "real" school let out for summer I told my teacher all about my plans for summer school. Oh I'm laughing as I type this now!
The playroom in my parent's house has changed a bit, but there is still a school area. Sometimes I go down there and really have a desire to play school again. Trevor and Cody have never used that area to play school...maybe someday I'll have a little niece or a little girl of my own that will share my joy of playing school. Oh the knowledge I have to pass along!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
I Love Surprises!
I love surprises and last night I received 2 surprises! I got home and found a pretty purple and white basket sitting on my couch. It was from my mom with a note addressed to the Bride to Be saying I could use this basket for some of my wedding materials.
Then when I got ready for bed I pulled my pillow back and found yet another surprise! This one was a larger decorative box with purple hydrangeas on it. (Hydrangeas are my wedding flowers.) This, too, was from my mom and the note was addressed to the Bride to Be suggesting I could use this to store wedding materials. I love surprises like this! It totally made my day.
Having the box under my pillow made the surprise even more special. When we were growing up my mom would always put a little present under our pillow on our birthday or holidays or sometimes just because. I came to look for the pillow present and would go asking for it if it sometimes wasn't there. That is a very neat tradition that I want to carry on with my family someday. Funny thing, just a few weeks ago I told Ross that I missed living at home and getting pillow presents. Gosh...I am just growing up in every way imaginable this year!
Then when I got ready for bed I pulled my pillow back and found yet another surprise! This one was a larger decorative box with purple hydrangeas on it. (Hydrangeas are my wedding flowers.) This, too, was from my mom and the note was addressed to the Bride to Be suggesting I could use this to store wedding materials. I love surprises like this! It totally made my day.
Having the box under my pillow made the surprise even more special. When we were growing up my mom would always put a little present under our pillow on our birthday or holidays or sometimes just because. I came to look for the pillow present and would go asking for it if it sometimes wasn't there. That is a very neat tradition that I want to carry on with my family someday. Funny thing, just a few weeks ago I told Ross that I missed living at home and getting pillow presents. Gosh...I am just growing up in every way imaginable this year!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
From Two-Door to Adult
I bought a new car last Friday, a 2006 Honda Accord. I have had my 1999 Oldsmobile Alero for just under six years and the past year it has been breaking down every few months or so. The last straw was in December when I had to replace the brakes and I was told how much the anti-freeze leak would cost to fix. I decided I was done putting money into that car.
Ross had his friend, who is a car dealer, start looking for a new car and we found the perfect one, all the way around. It is dark gray with very plush, dark gray interior and was kept in very good condition for a four-year-old car. I bought it just shy of 43,000 miles and at a very reasonable price, too. We were able to sell my Alero off of Craigslist over the weekend which was a huge blessing. So glad to have that taken care of and now have money to pay for my sales tax on the Accord.
I am enjoying the car...my "old lady car" as I call it. See, all my cars have been two-door cars. I have had a huge aversion to four-door cars as I felt them to be too adult or grown up for me. Since I started driving at 16 I have had 2 Chevy Berettas, an Olds Cutlass Supreme and my Olds Alero, all two-door cars, all kind of sporty looking and very "Libby." So purchasing a four-door car was kind of hard for me...it's like I'm being forced to grow up, forced to really become and adult! (Don't worry, I don't expect others to understand my thinking on this!) But I am amazed at how quickly I have gotten used to the nice, plush interior and the extra space I have in my new car. Compared to the backseat in the Alero, my new backseat is H-U-G-E! Oh, and I have the radio/CD player and volume controls on my steering wheel - love that!
I did realize though, that if I had this hard of a time letting go of my two-door car for a four-door car, I don't think I'll ever be able to drive a minivan!
Ross brought me a "Congratulations On Your New Car" rose. He's so sweet!
Standing with my old lady car.
The lighting is a bit bad, but oh well!
Ross had his friend, who is a car dealer, start looking for a new car and we found the perfect one, all the way around. It is dark gray with very plush, dark gray interior and was kept in very good condition for a four-year-old car. I bought it just shy of 43,000 miles and at a very reasonable price, too. We were able to sell my Alero off of Craigslist over the weekend which was a huge blessing. So glad to have that taken care of and now have money to pay for my sales tax on the Accord.
I am enjoying the car...my "old lady car" as I call it. See, all my cars have been two-door cars. I have had a huge aversion to four-door cars as I felt them to be too adult or grown up for me. Since I started driving at 16 I have had 2 Chevy Berettas, an Olds Cutlass Supreme and my Olds Alero, all two-door cars, all kind of sporty looking and very "Libby." So purchasing a four-door car was kind of hard for me...it's like I'm being forced to grow up, forced to really become and adult! (Don't worry, I don't expect others to understand my thinking on this!) But I am amazed at how quickly I have gotten used to the nice, plush interior and the extra space I have in my new car. Compared to the backseat in the Alero, my new backseat is H-U-G-E! Oh, and I have the radio/CD player and volume controls on my steering wheel - love that!
I did realize though, that if I had this hard of a time letting go of my two-door car for a four-door car, I don't think I'll ever be able to drive a minivan!
Ross brought me a "Congratulations On Your New Car" rose. He's so sweet!
Standing with my old lady car.
The lighting is a bit bad, but oh well!
Friday, January 15, 2010
Dresses and Veils and Jewelry and Shoes
I tried on my wedding dress Wednesday afternoon!!! It was so much fun and my dress is just so pretty! It fits very nicely, only needing a few alterations, and it is w-h-i-t-e! I love the white color but was so afraid to touch it for fear of getting it dirty. I didn't realize this but my dress also came with a little jacket that is very small, just 3/4 length sleeves and sits off my shoulders. It is very pretty and is very cool to see how wearing it can completely change the look of the dress. I might have it on in a few pictures but just for pictures definitely not for the wedding or reception. :)
I tried on shoes and necklaces and earrings but had no luck with any at the bridal shop...plus the fact that everything I tried on was wicked expensive. Which brings me to the veil I fell in love with...the $450 veil I fell in love with! It was just beautiful, had the perfect fit around my shoulders, had the right amount of poof to it, had gorgeous crystals all around for the border, oh I just loved it and so did my mom. When I took the veil off I looked at the price. If you would have been there then you probably would have heard my heart sink when I saw that price tag. Now I understand that wedding stuff is expensive and all that, but $450 for a veil, that's quite ridiculous! We left with no veil and thus began my quest for a similar, more cost-effective veil.
So yesterday I searched on Etsy.com and found a very comparable veil for only $48, add in the blusher at $12, shipping at $5.50 and I have a $65.50 veil!! (Forgot to mention above, it was going to be $120 for a blusher...that is just 17" of plain tulle.) I have to admit, I am a bit nervous that I will not like the veil when I see it in person, so let's hope it is just perfect!
I tried on shoes and necklaces and earrings but had no luck with any at the bridal shop...plus the fact that everything I tried on was wicked expensive. Which brings me to the veil I fell in love with...the $450 veil I fell in love with! It was just beautiful, had the perfect fit around my shoulders, had the right amount of poof to it, had gorgeous crystals all around for the border, oh I just loved it and so did my mom. When I took the veil off I looked at the price. If you would have been there then you probably would have heard my heart sink when I saw that price tag. Now I understand that wedding stuff is expensive and all that, but $450 for a veil, that's quite ridiculous! We left with no veil and thus began my quest for a similar, more cost-effective veil.
So yesterday I searched on Etsy.com and found a very comparable veil for only $48, add in the blusher at $12, shipping at $5.50 and I have a $65.50 veil!! (Forgot to mention above, it was going to be $120 for a blusher...that is just 17" of plain tulle.) I have to admit, I am a bit nervous that I will not like the veil when I see it in person, so let's hope it is just perfect!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Girls Night!
Last night I got to hang out with my best girlfriends for a couple of hours and it was such an enjoyable time. Last March we started getting together on a monthly basis, taking turns going to each others houses or to a restaurant for dinner. These have been such fun times, just hanging out, talking about this that and the other. It's so refreshing to have girlfriends like mine, the kind who love you no matter what, really care about you and listen to what's going on in your life and don't judge you, but encourage you and pray for you. Thanks girls! (I haven't figured out how to put comments below the pictures yet...the picture is of our girl group, minus Christina.)
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Registering
Ross and I started our wedding registry last Sunday and we both found the process to be a bit overwhelming! We had some specific items in mind but quickly got overwhelmed with those items we hadn't really thought about. I was concerned, too, with the prices on some of the items. Let's face it, some items like china, bedding and cookware to name a few, are just plain expensive. I feel greedy registering for expensive items, but I guess people don't have to buy us the expensive stuff if they don't want to. A couple can dream, right?!
After about 30 minutes at Bed Bath and Beyond we headed over to Target. Target was a much more enjoyable experience for us! Most of what we want is at Target and we didn't have to sit and listen to an overly excited saleslady talk to us about all the different "rooms" in their store. Target just gave us the gun and sent us on our way!
I have had fun this week managing our registry online, adding and deleting items. We plan to go back to the stores this weekend to complete it. I think this time around will be much more enjoyable as we feel more comfortable with the process.
P.S. I have registered for china, lots of china, because that to me is simply fun. Please don't judge me by the cost of my china :)
After about 30 minutes at Bed Bath and Beyond we headed over to Target. Target was a much more enjoyable experience for us! Most of what we want is at Target and we didn't have to sit and listen to an overly excited saleslady talk to us about all the different "rooms" in their store. Target just gave us the gun and sent us on our way!
I have had fun this week managing our registry online, adding and deleting items. We plan to go back to the stores this weekend to complete it. I think this time around will be much more enjoyable as we feel more comfortable with the process.
P.S. I have registered for china, lots of china, because that to me is simply fun. Please don't judge me by the cost of my china :)
Monday, January 11, 2010
The Weekend That Wasn't
Ross and I had planned to take last Saturday as a registering and shopping day. We were going to Bed Bath and Beyond and then Target to get our wedding registry set up, and then to mattress stores to shop for a new king size mattress for our master bedroom. We were so looking forward to that day (Ross was honestly excited to register, too, which made it even more fun!)
Friday night we went to dinner with some friends and as we were leaving the restaurant my stomach was starting to feel not quite right. We went to a coffee shop, just the two of us, for coffee, hot chocolate and talking. It was a nice time, especially since we hadn't done anything like that in a while. Afterward I went home, straight to bed.
I woke up around 1:30am and immediately went to the bathroom, knowing something was up with the way my stomach was feeling. Spent a little time in the bathroom as my dinner food decided to make a reappearance, all the while thinking that I will never be able to eat ribs or salad ever again. I was able to fall back asleep only to wake up again at 4:30am for more of the same. This time I called my parents when I was done. I knew they couldn't do anything for me but it still helped at least talking to someone, or perhaps it's the fact that my dad is a pharmacist and for all my life has been my "doctor". If ever I'm sick or not feeling well my first thought is to ask him what's wrong and bypass the doctor altogether.
So I slept off and on all morning and then dear, sweet Ross came over. Now this meant so much to me for him to do this - he is absolutely terrified of getting sick, especially the kind of sickness where your food reappears. He was so good to me! He brought me 7-Up (because we all know that's the drink of choice when sick) and bananas and just hung out with me that afternoon. He is so good to me.
Sunday morning I woke up feeling completely back to normal, just a little weak from only having a diet of jello and water the day before. We went to church and lunch and decided to go ahead and get our wedding registry started....I'll blog about that later.
I am definitely a "doer" type person, I like to stay busy and when I'm knocked out like I was all day Saturday I just feel worthless and lazy. And I love my weekends so much, too...why couldn't I have been sick on a Monday instead of a Saturday?!
Friday night we went to dinner with some friends and as we were leaving the restaurant my stomach was starting to feel not quite right. We went to a coffee shop, just the two of us, for coffee, hot chocolate and talking. It was a nice time, especially since we hadn't done anything like that in a while. Afterward I went home, straight to bed.
I woke up around 1:30am and immediately went to the bathroom, knowing something was up with the way my stomach was feeling. Spent a little time in the bathroom as my dinner food decided to make a reappearance, all the while thinking that I will never be able to eat ribs or salad ever again. I was able to fall back asleep only to wake up again at 4:30am for more of the same. This time I called my parents when I was done. I knew they couldn't do anything for me but it still helped at least talking to someone, or perhaps it's the fact that my dad is a pharmacist and for all my life has been my "doctor". If ever I'm sick or not feeling well my first thought is to ask him what's wrong and bypass the doctor altogether.
So I slept off and on all morning and then dear, sweet Ross came over. Now this meant so much to me for him to do this - he is absolutely terrified of getting sick, especially the kind of sickness where your food reappears. He was so good to me! He brought me 7-Up (because we all know that's the drink of choice when sick) and bananas and just hung out with me that afternoon. He is so good to me.
Sunday morning I woke up feeling completely back to normal, just a little weak from only having a diet of jello and water the day before. We went to church and lunch and decided to go ahead and get our wedding registry started....I'll blog about that later.
I am definitely a "doer" type person, I like to stay busy and when I'm knocked out like I was all day Saturday I just feel worthless and lazy. And I love my weekends so much, too...why couldn't I have been sick on a Monday instead of a Saturday?!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Wedding on the Brain
Wedding is definitely on my brain today. I'm not very busy at work so my mind has a lot of time to wander and today it's going to weddingville! I'm so excited for our wedding! I love planning events and after years of going to weddings it is so much fun, even though a bit overwhelming at times, to finally plan my own wedding! But all the planning aside, the thing I love the most about it is that when the flowers are all gone, the photos have all been taken, the wedding dress put away, I'll be married to Ross! He is absolutely the best and I cannot wait to spend the rest of my life with him!
I'm having trouble, though, imagining my new life. I'm 31 and have never been married, never lived with a boy, and for the past 7 1/2 years have lived alone. My mind just stops at April 17...I just cannot imagine what married life will be like, having never experienced it before. It's kind of weird because it's like I'll now have two segments to my life - the one before I was married and the one after I was married. (I imagine feelings these same thoughts when we have kids, too.) Kind of bittersweet in a way - moving out of my single life into my married life. Once I finally decided to trust God that He would bring me a husband I really, truly started enjoying being single. I have so much enjoyed working on my house, hanging out with friends, coming and going as I please, just things like that that one is more easily able to do when single. But when I think about married life and all the things I will enjoy - not having to drive home at night, always having my best friend there to talk with, a life partner, a bed partner :), someone who always has my back, always cares for me and thinks the world of me, someone who is just simply the funniest person I know...all of the bitter melts away to nothing but sweetness!
I'm having trouble, though, imagining my new life. I'm 31 and have never been married, never lived with a boy, and for the past 7 1/2 years have lived alone. My mind just stops at April 17...I just cannot imagine what married life will be like, having never experienced it before. It's kind of weird because it's like I'll now have two segments to my life - the one before I was married and the one after I was married. (I imagine feelings these same thoughts when we have kids, too.) Kind of bittersweet in a way - moving out of my single life into my married life. Once I finally decided to trust God that He would bring me a husband I really, truly started enjoying being single. I have so much enjoyed working on my house, hanging out with friends, coming and going as I please, just things like that that one is more easily able to do when single. But when I think about married life and all the things I will enjoy - not having to drive home at night, always having my best friend there to talk with, a life partner, a bed partner :), someone who always has my back, always cares for me and thinks the world of me, someone who is just simply the funniest person I know...all of the bitter melts away to nothing but sweetness!
Friday, January 1, 2010
My First Post
Hello blogging world!
I've been thinking about starting a blog for a while and figured the first of the year would be a good time to do so. I hope you enjoy following my life and learning more about me!
Today is the first day of 2010 - a new year and a new decade. In exactly 105 days from today I will be marrying Ross Wiseman and couldn't be more excited about it! We have the majority of our wedding plans completed and now ready to work on the little things that come closer to the wedding. My wedding dress came in yesterday so I will try it on sometime next week - VERY excited about that! I am definitely looking forward to the upcoming year!
Happy New Year to you!
I've been thinking about starting a blog for a while and figured the first of the year would be a good time to do so. I hope you enjoy following my life and learning more about me!
Today is the first day of 2010 - a new year and a new decade. In exactly 105 days from today I will be marrying Ross Wiseman and couldn't be more excited about it! We have the majority of our wedding plans completed and now ready to work on the little things that come closer to the wedding. My wedding dress came in yesterday so I will try it on sometime next week - VERY excited about that! I am definitely looking forward to the upcoming year!
Happy New Year to you!
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