Unwanted Guest

Well, Aunt Flo finally decided to show up, after being 5 days late. Although it is for the best, with everything going on, and planning for a wedding, I am still just a tad bummed. Oh well, it just gives me something to look forward to after I become the Mrs.


Moving on..........

Ch Ch Ch Changes

January promised to be a wonderful month. After J spoke with my Dad, things were so good. Well, shortly after we hit a couple of financial roadblocks. His car is out of commission, and it will be a little costly to get it fixed. On top of that, a couple days later, he was laid-off. AHHHH! I just want to scream! This put a little jam in the wedding plans. At this point I am not sure what the next step is. He is looking for a new job, but the job market is so crappy right now. I am just trying to be patient and keep the faith. Maybe its the stress that is adding to me irrational thinking, but part of me wants to just chuck it all and just go to the court house.

On top of that. I am late. Yes, late. According the calendar, about 4 days. I know that may not be a big deal, and under the circumstances, being late is easily possible; but for the past couple of hours, I have been totally obsessed about it. I have been analyzing everything! I don't think i am going to get a test just yet. All the symptoms i have been feeling are so similar to Aunt Flo. The more i think, "what if i am?" the more i think i will be disappointed if I'm not. Me and J have talked about kids, and we both want more after we get married. I know the timing could be a little off yet, I can't help but get a little excited at the possibilities.

Well, I guess I will just wait a few more days and see if Aunt Flo rears her face.

I had an amazing weekend. I had it all planned out. While Jay was going to be asking for my dad's blessing, I would be attending the bridal expo with my friend "ishie." Well things didn't quite go according to plan.

I woke up Saturday excited about what the day would bring. Jay on the other hand, woke up lets just say... grumpy. He was so nervous about talking with my Dad that he barely said 2 words to me. The Bridal Expo started at noon, and so was the "The big convo" with my dad. Its about an hour drive from where we are to where we need to be. Thank to the crummy freezing rain, we had a late start. By the time we were at our destination, it was just about noon. So I ended up being present for "The Talk" (Which I tried everything in my power not to be).

There we were, the four of us, my mom, dad, Jay and I. My dad can be very intimidating. Jay pushed forward and started the dialogue. Jay said the most amazing things about me. How much he loved me and my daughter, being a family, etc. Although Jay was tripping over his words, and stuttering; I am so glad I was able to be apart of the conversation. My dad then questioned us on our definition of marriage. He then discussed how its hard work, and the importance of a spiritual bond. We assured him that God would come first in our marriage. Keeping God first is the only way for a marriage to be successful. Then finally, my dad welcomed Jay to the family. I AM SOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!

As if things could get any better, My mom accompanied me to the Bridal expo. I had so much fun. "Ishie", met us up there. There were so many vendors there. I tried a variety of cakes. Red Velvet is the winner!!. I got tons of ideas and entered my name is several drawings. Then there was a fashion show. I saw some gowns i really liked, and bridesmaid dresses. At the end of the fashion show, there is a grand prize drawing. AND I WON!!!!!!! I couldn't believe they called my name. As soon as I heard my name, I yelled "Shut up". I never win anything. On the day of my wedding, I will receive $500! That will be right on time, because i am sure we will be broke! hahaha

I finally feel like it is official now. Now here goes the planning! :-)

The Talk

One of my girlfriends invited me to a Bridal Expo in my home town tomorrow. I am super excited. This will be my first "Bridal/Wedding" thing of 2009. This will also be our "countdown to the wedding thing" for January. I can't believe that in 12 months from now, I will be married.

While me and my friend, will be checking out wedding venders, watching a bridal gown fashion show, and hopefully winning some door prizes, my S/O "J" will be going over to my parents house to have "the talk", with my Dad. He will be asking for my dad's blessing to marry his daughter. I must admit I am a little nervous for him. I know he will be beyond nervous tomorrow. Luckily for him, he will have my Mom there as an ally. LOL OOOOOH to be a fly on the wall.

I can't wait until tomorrow! :-P

I came all the way back here for this???

Well, I/We are back from our mini vacay from California. It was so nice to see my sister. We had so much fun. J hit it off with my sis and her hubby. There was even a little male bonding of a game of basket ball.

One thing I always wanted to do, but always chicken out was ride a mechanical bull. Well this time, i grabbed the bull by the horns (pun intended), and rode it. What a horrid sight it was, but i had so much fun. Surprisingly, it is much harder than it looks. I completely fell face first just trying to get on the mat... smooth i know. lol I saddled that baby up... and i was doing so well... next thing i know.. SPLAT! i was thrown off! aw man... talk about sore. I didn't realize i needed to do thigh-curls to prepare for it. Next time.... its on!

The trip came to an end, and we caught a flight back to St. Louis only to be greeted by horrible weather... predidtion: ice storm.... Is it too late to fly back to sunny california?

Getting Out of Dodge.....

Tomorrow, me and J are heading to St. Louis to catch a flight to California. I am so stressed and excited. My sister lives in Cali, and she is graduating with her Masters in Nursing. She will be a Nurse Practitioner. I am so proud of her. I am glad I am able to sneak away for a few days to spend time with my sis, brother-in-law, and neice. I usually only get a chance to see them twice a year. I gotta keep working on my plan for them to move closer to home. LOL

This will be my first trip with a boy! Yikes! I am a little nervous how J will do with my sister and Brother-in-law. J is awesome, but he is very quiet. It takes him a minute to warm up to people. Sometimes people can misread quietness for other things. So i am just hoping that everything goes well.

My sister's graduation has gotten me thinking. Last year I had made a plan that this time next year (which is now), i would be enrolled in grad school. Well, i dropped the ball. The only thing standing in my way is that darn GRE. GRRRRR! I took it once, without even studying for it, and lets just say.....i need to retake it. I have to get focused again. So once again, I am going to make another goal that Fall 2009/Summer 2009 I WILL BE ENROLLED IN GRAD SCHOOL! I can't let this one test keep me from attaining my goals. Even if it means taking one class per semester for the rest of my life, i have to finish my master's degree. UGH!!!

Oh it is ladies night and the mood is right.....

After announcing my engagement to my friend "ishie", she came up with idea that the 5th of every month up until the wedding, we get together with the girls and do something to celebrate. Well starting this Friday, It will be exactly 1 year until me and J (S.O.) walk down the isle.

I haven't had a girls night in so long. I am so looking forward to laughing and being silly. I am not sure what all we will be doing, but i would be content with just getting something to eat and some bevs, and catch up with everybody. I think my clubs days are past me now. I can only take so much of that. You can barely hear yourself think, let alone hold a conversation. WOW...I sound really old. LOL

I am so very thankful for my friends. It is so nice to have people in your lives who are genuinely happy for you, and wish you the best.