Project 365 - Week 34

Sunday, December 11, 2011 -- Early dinner with friends!

Monday, December 12, 2011 -- Weight Watchers Chicken Fried Rice

Tuesday, December 13, 2011 -- Relaxing with Zoey...at least I'm relaxing...not sure about her!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011 -- Blog Swap Ornament

Thursday, December 15, 2011 -- Prep work for Registering

Friday, December 16, 2011 -- Finally got to see The Muppets

Saturday, December 17, 2011 -- 2nd Avenue at Christmas

Project 365 - Weeks 32 & 33

 

Sunday, November 27, 2011 -- Alysia's Mom's Famous Sweet Potato Pie

Monday, November 28, 2011 -- New Microwave

Tuesday, November 29, 2011 -- Homemade Cabbage Soup

Wednesday, November 30, 2011 -- Work Girls' Night at Cabana

Thursday, December 1, 2011 -- State Capitol Ornament (Given to me by the first lady of the state of TN)

Friday, December 2, 2011 -- All the girls at Cabin Weekend!

Saturday, December 3, 2011 -- My beau and I taking in the scenery in Gatlinburg!

Sunday, December 4, 2011 -- Sweet Zoey is exhausted after a weekend at her grandparents house!

Monday, December 5, 2011 -- Finally making Christmas Cards!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011 -- Christmas tree is officially decorated!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011 -- Sweet Zoey's new Christmas stocking!

Thursday, December 8, 2011 -- Lunch at Whiskey Kitchen

Friday, December 9, 2011 -- Patrick's Work Christmas party...at Ellendale's

Saturday, December 10, 2011 -- Patrick, about to jump out of a plane!!!!!

#74 -- DONE!!!!!

This year Patrick and I decided to do a "family" Christmas card!  It was intended to be a Zoey Christmas Card, but while we were having pictures made, we had a few snapped of all 3 of us and those turned out pretty good, too, so we decided why not?

Over a year ago, I won a photo shoot at a silent auction and never had a need to cash it in...WELL, all I needed was a dog to find a good excuse!  So, I called Tim from Mindub Photography and asked if the certificate was still good, and he said of course!  We agreed to meet up at the Ag Center here in Nashville!  It was a terribly cloudy and ugly day, but a great day for beautiful photographs!  We loved all of them, but here are our favorites:

Yes, in the above pictures, Zoey looks like the perfect little angel...WELL, take a look at these pics...they are representative of how much fun she was having...and Patrick and me, too:

And finally...the pics that made the cut for the Christmas card...

Thanks, Tim for doing such wonderful pics!  We couldn't be more pleased!!!!!

Wedding Planning 101

Wow!  What a crazy, stressful, fun, exciting adventure all this wedding planning has already been.  I never knew how little I knew about planning a wedding and how much I would learn in just 2 1/2 months of being engaged!  Since I haven't really been chatting too much about the wedding here on the 'ole blog, I thought I would do a quick update on where everything stands.

1.  We have a date!!!!!  July 14, 2012 will be the day that I become Patrick's wife.  =)

2.  We also have a venue!  We had originally wanted to get married on a cruise ship with our family and closest friends in attendance, but after much consideration and research, we decided it would be easier, less stressful, and less expensive if we got married here in Nashville.  Instead, we have picked the very cool venue, Rocketown.  For those that don't know, Rocketown is a Christian teen center located downtown.  It's very unique and industrial, holds all 300 of our expected guest count, and the location will work perfectly for all of our out of town guests.  So far they have been so great to work with, and I can't wait to get to know them all better!

3.  I ordered my wedding dress!  I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy about my dress!  I can't put into words how much I love it!  The fantastic Nashville fashion designer, Olia Zavozina, designed the dress and I can't wait until it is ready!

4.  We have secured our photographers!  Patrick was the big brother in his fraternity to the male side of the duo of Streetlight Republic Photography!  They are so sweet and fun, and I can't wait to have our engagement pictures in a few weeks!

5.  We have a DJ!  Again, thank you, Patrick!  He used to work for Cosmo Creations in college (yes, my beau was a DJ in college), and they were the first people he thought to call when we were looking for music for our wedding!

So, there you have it...just a taste of what Patrick and I have been up to for the last few weeks.  Now, we are working on the caterer, bakery, and florist...oh, and we are going to register this weekend!  I'm SUPER excited about that part!!!!!  Stay tuned for another update in the next few weeks!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Oh, geez...it's ONLY Wednesday????  I'm really trying to look on the bright side by saying "Yea!  There's only 2 more work days this week!"  Well, I'm loving a lot of things right now, including:

1.  That our Christmas cards have arrived in most people's mailboxes!  I'm super happy with how they turned out, and hope to do a post about them soon!

2.  That even though I started back up on Weight Watchers again this week, I still went to lunch at Monell's today with my co-workers!  It was YUMMY!

3.  That my beau and I have begun planning our pre-busy season trip...this year we're thinking either Atlanta or Chattanooga!  Which would you choose?

4.  That this is my last 5 day work week for the next 3 weeks!  Bring it on!!!!!

5.  And finally, I love these 2 sooooo much:

101 Things Update

Since I have reached the halfway point of my 101 Things Challenge, I decided to revisit this list of mine and change the items that I'm no longer interested in or I'm no longer able to complete to something that is a little more realistic or has recently become important to me.  First, let me explain which items I'm removing, and why:

3.  Review my finances on a monthly basis for 6 months so I can, hopefully, stay on track.
While I know I SHOULD be doing this, I kind of think that it's just too hard to measure...therefore, it has to go!

8.  Purchase a window treatment for my laundry room, foyer, and spare bathroom.
No, I'm not proud that many of the items related to my home haven't gotten wrapped up during the last year and a half.  However, it looks as if Patrick and I will be living in his house after the wedding...and, let's face it...If I haven't had time to do these things in the last 16 months, I'm probably NOT going to find time before we get married.  =(

9.  Purchase new appliances for my kitchen.
Please see #8 above.  =)

10.  Fix my drippy sink all by myself.
Please see #8 above.  =)

27.  Make a photo book of mine and Patrick's trip to St. Louis.
I hate it I never got this done...and I REALLY hope I do complete it one day.  However, it's not looking good with everything else on my plate, so I've decided to make photo books of more recent events.

33.  Borrow my sister's bike and actually ride it.
For some reason, I just never did this and now I've lost interest...shocking!

41.  Apply and be accepted to Nashville's Young Leaders Council.
Even though I would have LOVED to do this, and I think it would have been excellent training, the whole purpose is to learn how to serve on a Board.  Since I just joined my 2nd board, I think it may no longer be necessary...also, I think it takes up a LOT of time...that I don't have.  =(

45.  Watch every Glee episode to date.
I really just stopped watching this show, so I don't really see that it makes sense to go back and watch them all.

50.  Send 5 thank-you cards to various individuals who deserve them.
Again, too hard to measure!  I'm sure I've actually done this and just can't remember who they've been sent to...

52.  Get my old TV set up in my bedroom.
Please see #8 above.  =)

54.  Purchase and hang pictures for all walls in my condo.
Please see #8 above.  =)

55.  Purchase a small table for my foyer.
Please see #8 above.  =)

57.  Put in new floors in both my full bathrooms.
Please see #8 above.  =)

58.  Install a new showerhead in my bathroom.
Please see #8 above...this is getting out of control.  =)

60.  Buy furniture for the patio outside my bedroom.
Please see #8 above.  =)

73.  Go to a UT vs. South Carolina football game.
Since my sister graduates in May, I doubt I'm going to make this one...sorry Laura.  =(

80.  Don't check e-mail for an entire day at work.
Let's face it...it's 2011, and just not possible...

88.  Babysit Peppermint for an entire weekend.
Sorry mom and dad...I think we all agree though that with Zoey this probably won't work out now!

Now without further adu...here are the NEW and improved 101 Things items:

3.  Get married!
8.  Successfully combine houses with Patrick.
9.  Get an iPad.
10.  Visit the Hermitage.
27.  Run a half marathon in under 2:30.
33.  Make a wedding photo book.
41.  Make a photo book of our engagement pictures.
45.  Learn how to make homemade ice cream from my mom.
50.  Have a blogger meet-up.
52.  Gain 100 blog followers.
54.  Register Zoey for agility classes.
55.  Fill up my Pandora bracelet with charms.
57.  Have a yard sale.
58.  Buy a house.
60.  Give up caffeine for a week.
73.  Blog ever work day for a month.
80.  Teach Zoey to "Say the Blessing."
88.  Get a sponsor for my blog.

Well, there you have it!  Wish me luck!!!!!

Weekend Update!

Well, it's December, and you know what that means...yep, 'Tis the Season for being busy, exhausted, overwhelmed, stressed, and all-around ready for the Holidays to be over!  After having this attitude for OVER A WEEK recently, I decided that this is supposed to be one of the best times of the year.  It should be a time for being with family, doing for others (and enjoying it), and taking in the holiday spirit.  This is when I decided it was time to change my attitude and my life (just a little bit).  I decided that I have been so busy that I haven't been able to give anything to the people and things that mean the most to me.  For the last 2 weeks I have gotten back to basics and made my priorities the things they should be:  Patrick, Zoey, my career, and my health.  I must say, it's been a good 2 weeks.  Yes, I've struggled with not being able to spend as much time with friends...and I've already experienced the difficulties of saying "no," but to be honest, it's been very empowering all at the same time! No, I've not yet perfected this art, but I am making a conscious effort of working on it at all times!  So, without further ado, here is what I've been up to for the last 2 weekends...

Weekend before last was our annual cabin trip with some of our friends from Knoxville.  On Friday, Patrick and I took a half day off work and headed out of Nashville as early as possible.  After dropping Sweet Zoey off at her Grandma and Grandpa's house, we were on our way to a fun relaxing weekend...and that it was!  I honestly, don't have a lot to say except that we had a great time relaxing, playing games, eating, and watching football.  It was JUST what the doctor ordered!  Here are a few pics of the weekend:

All the ladies!  L to R:  Heather, Melissa W, Sabrina, Ginger, Andi, and Me!

Enjoying the views with my favorite dude!

Our home away from home for the weekend!

Just hanging out at Luca's Lookout!

After spending Sunday afternoon with my family, it was time to head back to Nashville and get ready for another work week!

This weekend was a weekend of Christmas parties!  My work Holiday party was Friday afternoon, then after that I had to rush home and freshen up for Patrick's work Christmas party that evening.  It was held at Ellendale's, and was a yummy dinner as usual.  My sweet beau was in charge of planning the party, but I must say, he did a great job!

Saturday morning we were up EARLY (way too early for a Saturday IMO) so Patrick and I could make the 2.5 hour drive to Vinemont, AL for Patrick to go SKYDIVING!!!!!  After getting down there around 9:30, we were told that the people who had 8:00 appointments still hadn't been able to get started because of the cloud cover...we were a little bummed out because we had driven so far and had gotten up so early, but we both kinda got over it and decided to be patient since safety is, of course, the most important thing!

Luckily for us, around 11:00 they started letting people begin the process and Patrick got to get suited up around 11:30.  Here are a few pictures of the "preparation" process:

All ready to head out and get suited up! 

Me with my courageous Beau!

The sign keeping me from getting my arm cut off, apparently...

The plane Patrick was about to jump out of!

Next thing you know, Patrick was loading into the plane and was flying high in the air...here are a few pics that were taken by the skydiving company...it was really cool to see after he safely landed on the ground:

Pumped up before jumping out of the plane! 

Probably 14,000 feet off the ground at this point!

After Patrick landed safely on the ground, we headed back to Nashville and were able to relax quite a bit that afternoon.  That evening, my sister was coming to town, so she, Patrick and I headed over to our friend Chase's Housewarming/Christmas Party.  It was a lot of fun, but since I hadn't gotten to hang out with my sister in quite awhile, and I was also pretty tired, she and I left Patrick at the party and headed home to hang out with Sweet Zoey.

Sunday was spent like most others...breakfast, chores, and relaxing.  That evening, we met up with Alysia, Kevana, and Nikki and Mark (our friends who used to live in Nashville, but now live in Nebraska) at Urban Flats for an early dinner!  It was great getting caught up with them, and we're still trying to talk them into moving back to Nash-Vegas!

So, what did you do this weekend?