Amazing!!

So much has happened since the last post!
The RAYS in the World Series!
Only 15 days until the wedding!

It's all so amazing! The rays spirit is definately alive in our house. Phil and I have been diligently watching the games and even ventured out to Ferg's to watch one of the games. Just to be here in the heart of it all is awesome! This city has come alive and of course everything is RAYS and BLUE! Each week, during the post-season, we have had Crazy Rays day at school. The kids have been allowed to paint their hair blue, wear a "Rayshawk" and wear temporary tatoos. The kids have loved it. There have been many cowbells at school on those days and of course those horns.

On the wedding front...I had an awesome shower at Robin's! The girls went all out and it was just what I was hoping for! We got lots of great gifts and I'm dying to open them and use them but we are waiting.

There are only 15 days left! I had my hair trial yesterday and it was interesting! She really curled my hair and it was a little much for me. Haven't seen my hair curly in a LONG time! We will work on the hair and I'm not worried. It will be perfect!

Also picked up some paper to start cutting for the guest book. Kip's going to take pictures of the guests as they arrive and each guest can write us a message or sign their name. Then I'll take the pics and put them in an album with the messages from our guests.

We met with Lorrie-our officiant and my good friend. I wrote out the ceremony and it was so nice to check that one off my list. Remaining on the list: buy cake servers, pay the vendors, get the card box ready, wrap my girls' gifts, deciding on our girls' day before, figure out where everyone is sitting (I dread that task!) and a few other little things...

I'm getting really excited and I'm especially looking forward to the honeymoon to be able to relax!

This weekend though, Robin, my mom and her friend are going to Mount Dora for our annual craft fair shopping day. We're meeting at 5:15am and will not return home until after dark. I am excited!!! I always look forward to going.

Not sure when I'll post again...maybe when I'm Mrs. Matthews?!

One month left!

Yikes! It's getting soo close!

Boston was a blast! We all had soo much fun and laughed quite a bit. It rained all weekend but that didn't dampen the fun. We had many tasty drinks and took in the sights of Boston and Providence. Cari showed us the town and was a great tour guide! As soon as I get everyone pics I'll post the ones I can...

My shower is this weekend and I'm getting excited! It'll be at Robin's house-THANK YOU ROBIN!!

Now if people would just send back their RSVP's for the wedding I'd be a happy camper! We still have several out and Phil thinks we will just tell them they can't come...I tried to explain that they may just show up and we won't have food or seats for them...so I'll be making a few (several) phone calls next week!

We have a cake tasting on Saturday and my dress fitting next weekend. We are getting our marriage license next week too. I picked up the favors today and am getting together with Faylene for my flowers this week or next. It's all coming together and though I'm a little worried, I am trying to stay positive and not let the little things get to me. I know I need to keep thinking that way.

ONE MONTH!!

45 days and Boston bound!

Today we have 45 days until the wedding! It's getting so close and still a lot to wrap up. But no time for doing wedding stuff...I'm going to BOSTON for my Bachellorette Party this weekend! I am packed, Peanut's packed and my sub plans are finished. Robin's meeting me here and then we will take Peanut to the vet for boarding and then off to the airport to meet the rest of the gang at Friday's for a pre-flight cocktail and a bite to eat. It's supposed to be chilly up there and I am sooo not ready for that! I live in Florida where we are only chilly for a few days and I try not to leave my house those days, except for going to work...

Anyway, I'm sure a lot of pictures will be taken. I'll try to post some of the better ones, but I understand I will be drinking a little bit this weekend, so no embarrassing pictures will be posted!

45 days...

2 months!!!

Today is 2 months until we get married. Kinda weird to think about it. You know when we first got engaged I knew the date would come, but it was soo far away. Now that we are 2 months away, I am freaking out. Is everything going to be ready? Will the DJ, photographer and drummer show up? Will it rain? Will I have a zit? Haha!!

I know-I need to stop stressing about things that I can't change or do anything about at this point.

There is still so much to do. Like write out the ceremony, write our vows, confirm the flowers and figure out what she's going to do, decide on and order the cakes, find a cake topper, buy the unity candle, finish buying the girls some things, OH and the 2 BIGGIES-figure out what Phil and the guys are going to wear and plan the honeymoon. We have been getting back the RSVP's and it's exciting that everyone is so excited about coming. Every once in a while, someone writes a little message on the card and it's so nice.

We got our first gift today! Phil's grandma sent us a check!! A big one too!!! So far she is the only one that won't be able to make it.

So with 2 months left, I better get off here and get to work! Oh and I need to make hotel reservations for the night before and night of, work on the guest book, the list goes on and on...

God was on our side!

This weekend was our Cuzzins' Campout. My mom's side of the family gets together every Labor Day for the past 12 years and camps. We stay in cabins with AC and have meals together and play games, etc. Well this year we went up the Swannee River. Our place was really cool. It was a huge campground. Lot's of activities and of course the river.

My grandma's brother in law, Chuck and his son John brought their boats with them. Saturday, John took some of the little kids and a few adults for a ride. He also had his wife and their dog with him. Chuck brought the kids' parents and some other adults. A few hours after they left, we got a call that there was an accident. John's steering stopped working and the kids were thrown from the boat. The boat them crashed into a tree on the bank. The kids were all wearing life jackets and the adults jumped out and helped the kids to safety. His mom was hurt really bad-a large gash in her head and injured her foot. Also my cousin, Bryn hit something-not sure what-and had a large gash in her head. They had a difficult time turning her over and getting her to the bank. All the others have minor scrapes and bruises.

John's dog wasn't so lucky. She was lodged into one of the compartments in the front of the boat and died. They tried pulling her out but her body was lifeless. The boat the adults were one were not close. Someone from John's boat called them and said the kids were ok. When they caught up to them it was chaos. Kids were crying, adults were crying, John's wife was very upset-the dog was their baby. John was in shock. Bryn and Karen were rushed to the Hospital. It was quite a scary day. Lots of hugs, crying, and praying. We are thankful that all walked away and the EMS couldn't believe that the injuries were as minor as they were. On the other hand, John and his wife are mourning the loss of their baby. I feel so terrible for them and couldn't wait to get home and hug Peanut. The weekend went on, but John and his wife couldn't bear the pain so they went home. I think it was probably good so the mourning can start and help them as they prepare for a life without their girl.

I'm sure we will never forget this camping trip and thank our lucky stars that no person was severly injured.

We had a low key Sunday. None of the kids wanted to go to the river after what had happened. Instead we went on a slide they had there. It was like a long slip and slide but had a hill it went down. It was soo much fun. Phil slipped on the way down his first time and hurt his lower back so he sat out after that. The rest of us couldn't get enough. Phil and I were supposed to go horse back riding later that day but due to his injury we decided against it.

All in all it was a good time. Stressful, scary, and sad, but we made the best of it.

Oh my!

Only 2 months and 2 weeks until we get married. I am starting to feel like everything won't get done in time. I'm short of breath right now, starting to hyperventilate and I'm sitting down. Overwhelmed is an understatement! The invites are done-for the most part. I have a few addresses I am waiting on, but the majority will be in the mail tomorrow or Wednesday! That is one major check on my ever growing list!

Now I need to help my mom find a dress, take my dress in for a fitting, find something that Phil and the guys are going to wear, nag Phil to plan the honeymoon, and the list goes on and on! I don't even think I really know what all needs to get done.

On a lighter note, this year's class is soooo sweet! I love them! They are so well behaved and actually are afraid if they have to put their head down in time out.

This weekend we are going on our Family camping trip. Peanut is going to the vet for boarding. I know she will hate it since we have been together for a long time. Not sure when it was that she was in boarding last.

Ok-time for bed. Tomorrow it will be 2 months and 13 days. AGH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holy SH**!!

86 days left! I can't believe that we only have 86 days until the wedding.

I'm back to work and my room is ready. This year I feel a lot more prepared than last year. I know what is expected at the Fundamental school and am more comfortable. Also we only had 1 day of meetings. All the others were spent working in our rooms.

Phil and I joined the gym this week. It's only $10 a month. We started last night and tonight we are taking a break. hehe! Oh and I've eaten out every day for lunch too. Tomorrow we have an all day training to go over new Kindergarten things and of course will eat out again. But we are for sure going to the gym tomorrow!

Saturday we are going to our tasting for our reception. I'm excited to see what our choices will be! I also NEED to work on the invitations!!

Only 35 minutes until Big Brother! It's eviction night and I am bummed that either girl will be voted out! APRIL, JERRY and MICHELLE need to GO HOME!!!!

I'm back on...

My computer has been returned to me. It has been wiped clean so no more viruses and also no more documents and pictures. I do have a DVD of pictures and everything else that was on my computer when it crashed.

I am sitting here in the backroom of my place and actually scrappbooking! Well, sort of. My principal gave us 4 index cards to decorate and label with different things.
My Favorite hobby...
In the future my goal is to...
The person/people I look up to...
My favorite subject...

So being the scrapbooker that I am I decided I had to decorate the index cards with scrapbook paper and of course they all have to be scrappy. I want to use some pictures like for the goal one and people one, so I went to the dvd full of pics to get some and oh my...I didn't realize how much stuff/crap I had on there! That might have to be tomorrow afternoon or Sunday's project.

Yesterday was my birthday and it was very nice. Now I didn't get as nice of a present as last year, but really how can you top an engagement ring?! Phil made us dinner-Chicken Marsala, YUMMY, and he gave me an ipod. Yes, I am the last one to get one! It's soo cool. Love the ease of using it and the sound is amazing with these headphones!

Back to school on Monday! UGH! Actually, I am ok with it. I need to get off my rear and lose some of this weight I gained over the summer. I need to zip up that dress!! We are also joining a gym and I'm going back to WW.

Tomorrow I'm going to get a pedicure with my mom, her first, and then lunch. Later on, I'm heading out for a girls night with Diane. The boys are watching the Bucs and I'm sure will be having a few drinks themselves.

News

My laptop has been wiped clean. No more virus...

But the good news is that the man called to ask what I wanted off the computer and was able to save ALL of my documents and my pictures. He rocks!! So I will be backing everything up from now on. No more saving to the hard drive!

I just got back from the last pool party of the summer and am now going to relax for a little while until I go to a birthday dinner for a friend later.

I plan on spending tomorrow doing absolutely NOTHING since it's my last day off before school starts back. I have to help a new teacher to the county on Wednesday and babysit on Thursday and Friday.

Update

Where do I begin? Well, let's see...

my computer has a virus...
I started working on the invitations...on the computer with the virus...
I am PMSing...
Need I say more????!!!!!

So I somehow got a virus on my computer. I looked it up and it's a low risk virus...so that's good and it seemed simple enough to get rid of. So I do what it says to get rid of it. One step says to put the computer in safe mode...I do it...and can't log in to my computer. Said computer is not owned by me. It is school property so I call the help desk. The girl tries to get me out of safe mode but to no avail. She tells me I can bring it in and they can look at it. So I do...Not so sure that was a good thing as I was kind of shunned when I walked in (another post). Anyway I am computerless. I am feeling violated as they needed my password to get into the system and since this is a school computer I was to use it for school only. HA! I have pictures of naked men on there. Only kidding. But I do have some pictures of my personal life and of Peanut's accident on there and need those for the case when we go to trial...

I borrowed my laptop from school to help ease the pain of not having a computer, and it won't connect to the internet...AGH!!!!!! Phil and I have tried everything we can think of but to no avail.

Oh and the invitations too... I started working on them (on the borrowed laptop) and a monogram too. Well, I don't have that anymore. I now have to start all over from scratch. But the borrowed laptop won't connect to the wireless router and therefore can't connect to our wireless printer...so how am I to print the invites???

I'm PMSing...need I say any more?!

So there you go...Questions???

Yes, Phil has been very supportive by saying I can't wait for your period to be over! I keep reminding him that my period is not why I am having a breakdown!

Yes, Phil has been very supportive and even looked into purchasing Microsoft Office for his computer so I can keep working on the invitations. Way too expensive...

Yes, Phil has been very supportive by still telling me he loves me. I know I am driving him crazy but what am I to do???

Last Class!

Tonight is my last class for summer session! I can not wait for my life to be back. I have some wedding planning to do and am tired of reading, reading, reading!!! One good thing is that I am halfway through and will get a pay raise in the fall! I plan on emailing my secretary at school tomorrow to find out what I need to do to get that ball rolling. More money would be very nice about now!!

Waiting...

I'm sitting here waiting. Waiting for my AC to get turned off. We are getting a new roof and our AC will be off for 2 days. UGH!! We were supposed to have this done in the Spring-when it was cooler, but now we are having it done in the heat of summer! Fun!! Now I just saw the weather for today and storms are rolling in. Oh goodie!! So maybe they won't do it today, so they can do it when it's even hotter out later in the week or next week. Well, Peanut is as close to me as she can get. She is scared of the noises they are making.

I'm also waiting as long as I can to work on a paper that needs some tweaking. The draft is due tonight and I'm not too happy with it so I need to try to fix it. I just don't even want to work on it, as it took me forever to get it finished and now to go back and change things...

I've written a letter to the hotel owner for not upholding their end of the contract with our reception. I need to send it today. I am demanding they pay me the amount they are having me pay for a new place. OR I can file a civil suit against them...I got all this lingo from my friend Caroline since she knows people-lawyers. Gotta get that out TODAY!!!

We registered on Friday night! It was an experience, but LOTS of fun! And we picked out some really great things that we both love!! We are almost 4 months away and I still have soo much to do, get my dress altered, make the invitations, figure out what the guys are wearing, decide on the cake, choose favors, help my mom find a dress, book the honeymoon. What am I waiting for?!

Catching up!

Here I am! Class has been kicking my butt but I have a moment to catch you all up.

Phil and I went to the Cubs/Rays game on Thursday when the Rays had a Grand Slam. It was an awesome game and even though the Cubs' lost, Phil still had a great time. It was the first time the Rays and Cubs played and since Phil is a big Cubs fan we had to go. That was his birthday present from me. We had outfield seats but a great view!!

Been busy babysitting my cousins on Thursdays and Fridays. They are sweet girls and keep me busy!

Our parents met on Saturday night for dinner. We were going out for Phil's birthday and figured we'd invite our parents so they can finally meet each other. It went fine. I was a nervous wreck but everyone seemed to get along ok.

My neighbor is being a ROYAL BIATCH!!! You all know I got this new car. Well, now I can't pull into my parking spot so I've been parking in another ladies since she has no car and have requested that the board change my spot. It's the boards' decision and they assign spots and recently moved around some spots to help other residents out. She hasn't had a car for 3 years, and isn't getting one in the near future. Well, I wrote her a note-she wasn't home for me to talk to her-requesting that we switch spots-mine is only 2 over from hers. I never heard anything from her but sure heard about it from my neighbors. She was very adamant that that was her spot and she wasn't going to part with it. Our president basically says she doens't have a leg to stand on. He's on my side. Well last night as we were getting ready to leave for dinner she knocks on the door. So I go out and talk to her and she basically tells me that she's been here longer than I have and that she doesn't want me to park there. She tells me that the spot is hers and it's written in her condo documents (our documents clearly state that the board reserves the right to assign spots). She also tells me that she needs it for when she has guests over. Umm-she hasn't had guests over in a looonnngg time. And our guests are supposed to park on the street. Why she won't just trade with me is insane! She's being uncooperative and unreasonable! It's not like I'm asking that she no longer have a parking spot!! Anyway, Phil and I are Pi$$ed off!! We have a condo meeting on Wednesday and I'm hoping that the board can help. By the way there are no other available spots for me to even park in. UGH!!!! I soo want to sell this place and move!!! I can't wait to get away from these people! Between the rude people upstairs to the Biatch-enough already!

We found another venue for our reception and have it booked. I like it better than the other one!!

I sent out the Save the Dates yesterday. I set up a wep page for our guests and the info is on the postcard. We meant to bring our mom's theirs last night, but forgot them at home. I wanted them to get them first. Oh well. We will drop them off today.

This week is another busy week. Phil's birthday is tomorrow and I have class tomorrow and Tuesday nights. I have some projects due next week and are meeting with my group this week to get it all worked out. Then the condo meeting on Wednesday. Then babysit Thursday and Friday.

Hope you all have a great week!!

RUT RO!!!

I called our reception site yesterday to set up a tasting. We chat for a while and then she tells me that they are now under new owners and will be doing some construction to the hotel which should be done a week before the wedding. (Sure-we all know how construction works!! I'm sure there will be a delay!) Then she tells me that the new owners and possibly reducing the banquet room which would then not be able to accomodate our guests!! Are you kidding me?! Now what am I supposed to do?? Sit and wait for the owners to decide? Hope that the construction will be complete? Stand there and make them work faster? AGH!!!! I have been on the phone this morning to see who is available for a reception site and now I'll have to find a caterer and figure out th ebar situation. UGH!!! And I was hoping to catch up on classwork today as I have some major stuff due next week.

I can't change the date since I already have a DJ and photographer so that's out.
Keep me in your thoughts that it will all work out and we will still have a very nice reception.

On the road again...

Just can't wait to get on the road again...

That's right-we got a new car!! Here's a picture.

It's a 2007 Chrysler Pacifica with less than 4000 miles. We got it for a GREAT price from Carmax. If you haven't had experience with Carmax, the next car you buy should be from them. There is no haggling and we weren't pressured to buy. Plus they even bought my car!! Yes, the broken one with a transmission that doesn't work. They gave us $1000 for it! I couldn't believe it! It's much more than what we would have gotten for it if we had an ad in the paper.

It drives so smooth and has sooo much room. Perfect for a family (which we will hopefully have in the very near future).

Adios!

-to the kids...last day was Tuesday. It was a nice day. I'm excited to meet my kids for next year as this group gave me a few headaches along the way. I have rearranged my room and even have things copied for the new year. My teammates were so kind-they gave me a gift card to the movies and a way to go card since I had a rough group and it was my first year at the school with lots of new expectations to learn, understand and enforce.

-to my car...it has officially run out of energy to go any further. The transmission is shot and I'm not going to put $1000 into a 10 year old car. I told Phil I am alright with not having a car for the summer and just using his when I need to do things. We may decide to get a new (or new to me) car though.

-so I guess I need to cancel my auto insurance?! Hmm...more money into the wedding fund!!

We're having a shower for Laura on Saturday at Kip's so tomorrow I'll be looking for a gift and getting the food I'm supposed to bring.

Oh and on the wedding front-we get to pick up my band tomorrow afternoon!!!

That's it. Been reading, and doing classwork for my 2 master's classes...ugh!

Crazy...

Busy that is.

School is winding down and the kiddos are very excited and so am I. As of today we only have 6 days left. WOW! I can't believe this year is almost over.

On the wedding front, we went to the mall yesterday to hit all the Memorial Day sales. We were walking by the store where Phil bought my ring and he asked if I wanted to get it cleaned while we were here. So we stopped. Next thing you know we were trying on wedding bands and then we bought them. I thought we'd need more time, but we both were happy with what we picked so we did it. We will get my ring on June 6 and his ring will come in a little bit afterwards. Mine is a channel setting with 12 round diamonds (gold). It looks very pretty with my ring. Phil went with a Tungsten ring (silver) which is sturdy and doesn't easily scratch. Yes our rings won't match, but I'm ok with it. I can't wait to see my ring again.

Oh, out photographer emailed us the other day that she will be bringing another photographer in training so I'll get her photos as well...for no extra charge!! Sweet!!!

I bought earrings for the bridesmaids this weekend too.

Later this week we will go to the beach to take some pics to use for our Save the Dates.

I started back to grad school a few weeks ago and have been up to my ears in reading. UGH! I have to read 3-5 chapters each week for 2 classes. It's not the kind of reading I like so it's pretty boring. And I have to drive across the bridge to my classes, 2 nights a week, since they don't offer them at this campus. Traffic is no fun at that hour!!

Ok-better get back to reading. Still have a few chapters to finish before class tomorrow.

Check!

The bridesmaid dresses-Check!!!

My mom saw this dress in the Sunday JCPenney's ad. I checked it out and thought it was cute. After going to see it in person, and trying one on myself. I shared it with the girls and Diane and I went to check it out. We decided to go for it. I got a dress for Cari and Robin in their sizes and they fift perfect. Ready for the best part?!! They were only $25 each!!!!

Here's a picture:

I know it's not your typical bridesmaid dress, but the colors are the colors I'm using. Also the girls can wear them again. In fact, Cari wants to wear it before the wedding. haha! I might go get myself one to wear too-not to the wedding of course.

I am soo glad that is done. I was starting to get worried that I wouldn't find a dress for the girls that I liked in a decent price range.

Resting comfortably...

Peanut is resting on her bed. She looks sooo much better that the last time she had surgery!! No drains this time, but staples across most of her back. She came home and actually ran in the house. She has barked a few times too, but I think that must hurt, because after the first bark, the second bark gets much weaker.

She has a few days of pain pills and will have a recheck in about a week to get the staples out.

We are planning on sleeping on the floor tonight. Not really looking forward to that, but I'm afraid between Phil and I we may roll over wrong and hurt her. Once Phil leaves for work tomorrow we will be jumping on the bed. I've taken 2 days off work to make sure she is ok. Oh and he is going away for the weekend, so we can have the bed to ourselves this weekend.

I wanted to go scrapbooking for a few hours this weekend and I still may, but I need to see how she is doing on Friday. I stopped at Blockbuster before I picked her up and got a few movies to keep me busy. I also have some books. I know I could work on the wedding stuff, but there isn't anything I can do right now. We had a little bit of luck dress shopping on Sunday. We found one dress that would be perfect, but it didn't come in brown. Big Bummer!!

Well, thanks for your well wishes for Peanut. I'll keep you posted.

One Word

I got this from my friend on Myspace...

You...Can...Only...Type...one...word
Not as easy as you might think.
It's really hard to only use one word answers.

1. Where is your cell phone? ..............couch
2. Your significant other?..................Phil
3. Your hair? ..........................................ponytail
4. Your mother? .....................................kind
5. Your father?........................................(for me I'll answer step dad) great
6. Your favorite thing?............................beach
7. Your dream last night?........................none
8. Your favorite drink? .......................water
9. Your dream/goal?...............................healhy
10. The room you're in?..........................living
11. Your ex?..........................................alcoholic
12. Your fear?..........................................attack
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years......motherhood
14. Where were you last night?..............home
15. What you're not?.................................slim
16. Muffins?...........................................chocolate chip
17. One of your wish list items?.............debt free
18. Where you grew up?........................here
19. The last thing you did?.......................myspace
20. What are you wearing?...................... clothes
21. Your TV?..............................................on
22. Your pets?............................................ Peanut
23. Your computer? .................................essential
24. Your life?.............................................crazy
25. Your mood?..........................................blah
26. Missing someone?..............................nope
27. Your car?............................................old
28. Something you're not wearing?......shoes
29. Favorite Store?...............................Ann Taylor
30. Your summer?....................................lounging
31. Like someone?....................................sure
32. Your favorite color?........................green

Ok, so I didn't use 1 word for some, but I did for most of them. Now you try!