in 10 days....

In 10 days I marry my love! I can't believe it's soooo close, just around the corner....2 years ago in November Erin proposed and now we get married in 10 days! We might have been engaged for 2 years, however we have only been planning this wedding for 6 months. It just started to come together at just the right moment. When I got home from TX last January we started looking at our options and everything just fell into place! I have to say that 6 months to plan this wedding has been a blessing. I haven't been able to change my mind on anything....too much. :o) I have had to make decisions and stick to them. Also with the economy I have done a lot of DIY projects and saved us a lot of money, but it's not going to look cheap!

Tomorrow we get our marriage license, have a final meeting at Confluence Park to finalize details. Then we are done...well I am. :o) Well we have to make the favors - but that is planned for next Thursday.

I can't wait! My goal for next week is to just enjoy this moment in our life. Yes I'm having minor freak outs...every bride does. I'm worrying that someone will show up that didn't RSVP. I am also big on planning and being on time. That is going to be my biggest obstacle. I'm trying to plan out every second of the wedding day....but I know in my head that I can't. I'm working on getting over that. :o)

I'm going to try to post a budget of our wedding. I just want to show others that you can have a nice, simple, elegant wedding for less than you might expect. Also, if you take your time you can make some DIY elements that don't look DIY....you just need a patient mind and a great friend who happens to be a graphic designer. :o) Thanks Jen!

Also, I know that yesterday I said I wasn't going to change the look of my blog until after we were married. However, I just couldn't wait. I put pictures of Lexi in, but when we get some wedding pictures, I'll replace them. :o)

Just 10 more days!! I can't wait to be Mrs. Erin McFall!!

new dinner

I hate being stuck in the kitchen cooking dinner when Erin gets home from work. I just want to be able to sit and hang out with him. Therefor, I'm always looking for easy meals that I can prepare during the day and then just throw into the oven when he gets home. Also, this means the dishes are done before hand too. This is my most recent new meal -

Fiesta Chicken Casserole -- This is my halved and slightly altered version since I'm only cooking for 2. The full recipe is here - it's a Campbell's recipe.

Ingredients:

1 refrigerated pie crust

1/2 a jar of chunky salsa

1/2 cup of sour cream

1/2 can of cream of chicken soup

1 cup cheddar cheese (I used mexican)

1/2 lb chicken - cooked

I seasoned the chicken in taco seasoning and then cooked it in a skillet.

While that cooked I mixed the sour cream, soup, salsa, and cheese together.

I then added the cooked chicken after I cut it up.

Then I placed it into a 9x9 baking dish and kept it in the fridge.

When Erin got home I took the pie crust out and let it stand for 15 min. I then placed them over the mixture, trimmed, and cut slits in the top.

Then baked at 400 degrees for about 30 min - until crust is golden brown.

Also, I'm working on my new header/background! I can't wait to put it up. It's going to be done after we get married and I have some wedding pictures to put up. 11 days!!

Coloring book

So, I decided to make a little coloring book for the kids at our wedding. I was looking at buying one but I decided to make one instead. Here are some pictures...

First though these are my new flats. SO cute!

Page 1 and so on....

How I'll set it up at the wedding....Probably at the seating card table.

Lexi Pics....

Lexi had a stand off with another cat last night. It walked by our porch and both it and Lexi puffed up their tails. Then it moved to our dinning room window and sat outside it and did a low growl at Lexi. Lexi just watched and wagged her tail.

Lexi's puffed up tail.

The other cat and Lexi

Also, Lexi's new carrier cage showed up yesterday. She doesn't like it! She knows when a carrier is out it means the vet. After she smelled it she went and sat all curled up by her litter box. Her litter box is her 'safe' spot when she feels threatened. So, I had to put it up in the closet.

Maybe I'll go in....

No mom, I don't like it!

my day.

First off the pics in this blog aren't great. I can't find our camera (hoping it's at Erin's bothers house...that is the last time I saw it) so I had to use my phone. Ah well. Ran errands today and got a few things for myself. :o)

My new purse. Thanks for telling me about Kohl's Jen!

This was on sale and came with a cosmetic bag/id holder.

My new wallet from Forever 21. So cute and only $7.50!! It matches perfectly.

I found this at Things Remembered when I was having the grooms men gifts engraved. It's bracelet for wedding day. They even engraved it with my new monogram. :o) It'll be perfect! Since my jewelry is pearls and silver.

I also dropped things off at the florist, payment at the cake shop. I even ordered my top for the rehearsal dinner. They didn't have it in the store (American Eagle) so they ordered it for me and I got free shipping! Plus a second color for 1/2 off. YAY! Now I'm just wasting time until my meeting with the photographer to make a final payment and go over what pictures we want. I can't believe we are getting married in 2 weeks!

Stress shopping....

Today is a stressful day. Erin already got an all cap's e-mail of my vent. Therefor, I spent all morning 'window shopping' online. :-P

In my 'window shopping' I ordered new flats. My leopard print ones got soaked yesterday and soaked through to my feet. So they need to go into the trash. I have had them for almost 3 years now, it's time. I searched and searched and found these cute ones from Target. $12.99 and they will go with just about everything! So I ordered them! :o)

I then saw this purse (again at Target) I'm going through purse withdrawal and I want a new one sooooo badly! I think this one is really cute! I need to go to the store though and see it up close first......

and compare it to this one! I found it at Forever 21 and will have to check it out too. How cute would a yellow purse be for fall?! I just need to decide on a big or small purse....

Ready for Thursday! We are doing a lot and I could end up with a purse. :oP

We are going to....

*get marriage license (as long as Erin doesn't have to work)

*engrave 'gifts' and our cake topper. We are going to put the date on it and maybe a little saying. Not sure yet...

*compare purses (Erin doesn't know that yet) :oP

*meeting with photographer, drop of payments.

SO CLOSE!!

Post again on Thursday....I seriously might take a picture of us getting our license. :o)

wedding issues

Today is another 2 post day....Here is the first one.

My top wedding issues

1. Rehearsal dinner

*Planning it was just a PAIN! And to think, we ended up back at the original plan. We should have never swayed. :o)

I can say that the rehearsal will be easy and casual - PERFECT! I have my outfit planned too...White top (the one I posted this weekend) Jeans, and Erin want's me to wear my flower heels that I got for my b-day. Easy! :o)

2. Invites - Addresses

*I sent e-mails 2 months before I sent out invites asking for updated addresses to both mothers. I heard nothing from one and assumed all was right. SO, now that I've had 2 messages from a guest (whom I don't even know!) about which address did I send certain peoples invites too - it angers me! I'm over it. Especially since 2 weeks before I have to give final counts I'm just finding out that people haven't received their invites. (I could go on...it's an issue today.)

3. Invites - RSVP's

*I can't give final counts with out RSVP's. I don't care if you talked to one of the mothers and said you are coming after the save the date cards...I didn't get that message - send the RSVP. Don't talk to the mother and debate it...send me a maybe. I don't care! UGH! I'll be making phone calls Monday. Problem is my mom warned me about this with my family...surprisingly - I've gotten their RSVP's. I didn't believe her either...should have listened!

4. Favors

* Just a pain making boxes and getting the M&M's here...mild problem.

By the way this is 5lb's of M&M's. :o)

5. Undetermined

Who knew these would be my top issues! I thought the rehearsal dinner and invites would be easy!

Are these normal issues? I just want this planning process to be over!

I am proud to say we are at budget! Even cut costs in certain areas. :o)

First dance...

So, I may be changing out first dance song. I will have to check with Erin. Here are the two choices.....

Micheal Buble - Everything - Which I have posted before here. Or this new song that I just love!

Opinions? :o)

Boys Like Girls w/Taylor Swift - Two is Better Than One

I remember what you wore on the first day
You came into my life and I thought
"Hey, you know, this could be something"
'Cause everything you do and words you say
You know that it all takes my breath away
And now I'm left with nothing

So maybe it's true
That I can't live without you
And maybe two is better than one
There's so much time
To figure out the rest of my life
And you've already got me coming undone
And I'm thinking two is better than one

I remember every look upon your face
The way you roll your eyes
The way you taste
You make it hard for breathing
'Cause when I close my eyes and drift away
I think of you and everything's okay
I'm finally now believing

That maybe it's true
That I can't live without you
And maybe two is better than one
There's so much time
To figure out the rest of my life
And you thought that it got me coming undone
And I'm thinking two is better than one
Yeah, yeah

I remember what you wore on the first day
You came into my life and I thought, "Hey,"

Maybe it's true
That I can't live without you
Maybe two is better than one
There's so much time
To figure out the rest of my life
And you thought that it got me coming undone
And I'm thinking
I can't live without you
'Cause, baby, two is better than one
There's so much time
To figure out the rest of my life
But I'll figure it out
When it's all said and done
Two is better than one
Two is better than one

Spoiled Lexi

So, Lexi is spoiled! Especially today! I just couldn't help myself. Plus she is getting sooo big! I think she is going through a growth spurt and becoming an adult cat. *snif, snif*

Her new toy. She of course plays with the plastic handle.

Her new food set up! I got her a place mat...since she likes to take her food out of her bowl and put it on the floor and then eat it. Also a new bowl set up. She also has 2 new pink bowls for her wet food.

Her new carrier. I had to order is online since they didn't have it at the store. She doesn't fit in the carrier we have now. I have to stuff her in it. :o( So sad.

To end this post....Here is Lexi as a baby...when we first got her. She is 3 months in this picture! So adorable!!

And here she is now...2 years old! She is soooo big!

Rehearsal Dinner....

I don't know what to wear for our rehearsal and dinner!!

I'm thinking jeans...since it's pretty laid back. Maybe my new khakis.

But what on top?! White? Not sure what the weather will be like, but I'm sure I'll need a sweater for outside. So maybe a cute top with a cardigan.

AHHH, I need something to think about....guess this is it since all wedding stuff is done except for seating cards. BLAH!

Ideas welcome. :o)

Update....

I just found this top online at AE.com. I'm thinking this would be cute with jeans and heels. Add a cute jacket or cardigan....

M&M's

Part of our M&M order. Picture isn't great - but I can't take them out of their packaging until we pack them into our favor boxes. You can kind of see the writing. It says Erin & Sara on some and then 10/10/09 on the others. I'm waiting on the rest of the order - which is a LOT of pain blue ones. 5lbs! I'm going to have to go by myself some M&M's so that I am not tempted to eat these!!

Our first gift

This is our first gift from my aunts! (we did get some money from Erin's uncle...but this is our first open up gift)

Comforter and Duvet cover. We love it! The comforter is down and the duvet cover is 300 thread count - SOFT! Plus, as you can see it's reversible. White with yellow stripes or yellow with white stripes. :o) (we love Target)

it's framed

I found this frame at Michaels in the clearance isle. When I got to the register to pay I noticed the corner was coming apart, so I asked if I could return it if I couldn't fix it with super glue. It was only $7.99 so I figured it was worth a try. Well, when she went to ring it out it rang up for 1 cent! DEAL!! So today I fixed it and matted our Wedding Sampler. So pretty! :o)
We also recieved our first wedding gift yesterday, I'll post a picture when I get it cleaned and laid out.... :o)

Details

Would you like wedding details?!?! :oP

Well I'll give just a few more. You saw our pictures, so you know the type of cake/flowers we will have.

Lets see....we start at 11 - and I MEAN 11 and done by 4.

We are having our first dance to Michael Buble's 'Everything' (song at end of post) I will dance to 'Cinderella' by Stephen Michael Curtis with my daddy.

We are going to have personalized MnM favors. My mom ordered them when she was here. I'll post pics when we get them....It'll be another week.

We are having a chicken with a lemon sauce and mashed potatoes meal, chicken fingers for the children.

A dessert table! Cheese Cake, Strawberry Shortcake, Double Chocolate Cake....and there will be some wedding cake.

The wedding party flowers are roses.

um....I think that's good. :oP Just 23 days!

Our Song

Michael Buble - 'Everything'

You're a falling star, You're the get away car.

You're the line in the sand when I go too far.

You're the swimming pool, on an August day.

And You're the perfect thing to see.

And you play your card, but it's kinda cute.

Ah, When you smile at me you know exactly what you do.

Baby don't pretend, that you don't know it's true.

Cause you can see it when I look at you.

[Chorus:]

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, You make me sing.

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

You're a carousel, you're a wishing well,

And you light me up, when you ring my bell.

You're a mystery, you're from outer space,

You're every minute of my everyday.

And I can't believe, uh that I'm your man,

And I get to kiss you baby just because I can.

Whatever comes our way, ah we'll see it through,

And you know that's what our love can do.

[Chorus:]

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, You make me sing

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

[Chorus:]

And in this crazy life, and through these crazy times

It's you, it's you, You make me sing.

You're every line, you're every word, you're everything.

You're every song, and I sing along.

Cause you're my everything.

yeah, yeah

So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

So, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

Pictures

Here are some pictures....I can't WAIT until it all comes together for our wedding! I will post details tomorrow. :o)

Our wedding cake topper.

Our cake - we will have blue ribbon, no flowers, 2 tiers, no tier dividers

From Cakes of Distinction

Bubble basket (for when we leave)

(100 bubbles for $10 at dollar store)

Gift card box

Flower Vase (on sale at Michael's)

Will have a blue ribbon around the bottom of the vase with a white pearl

Blue Hydrangeas (I call them Pom-Poms) are our centerpiece flowers

They match the blue ribbon for our flowers Perfectly!

My earrings

My headband for my wedding hair

Pictures tomorrow!!

finally

We went to the mall last night so that Erin could get a b-day gift. He got new shoes and a video game. Well I also was allowed to get a few things. I got a new top and new khakis. :o) '

This is the new top I got. I love it! It's from Macys and it's a Michael Kors top. I really like his shirts. I have a few now and always look for his stuff at Filenes Basement too.

Also, I had to help my aunt with some things today and it ment looking at our registries. :o) I had been doing sooo well not looking too. However, I am very excited at what I saw had been bought! We will be getting new bedding - I can't wait!!! Also this cute photo tray. I'm going to fill it with wedding photos. I have already decided that.

My mom is here tomorrow! I can't wait!! We are going to go to Indy on Sunday to see my aunt. She should be out of the hospital by then, but we are going to see her anyways. Then we have meetings Monday and Tuesday for wedding things. I'm hoping they will be our final meetings.

Have a GREAT weekend!! The weather is supposed to be beautiful!

project

My latest cross stitch project. I can't wait to matt and frame them!

One Month

In just 30 days we will say 'I-Do' in front of all our family and friends!

I truly can not wait to become Erin's wife!

Where have the last 6 months gone?!

I know that this last month will FLY by. However, I'm going to cherish every moment - big and small - stressful and not. :o)

Here are some pictures of us through the years....

I'm not a political person. I vote for whom I think will do the best job. I don't voice my opinions for all to read on here or facebook or twitter. I do think Obama was the better choice this past election. I believe we needed a change. I don't watch all the speeches that The Presidents give. I try, I don't always succeed, to watch the State of the Unions. I have watched a few more speeches these past few months because I'm affected by this economy, as everyone is. I did watch the speech tonight because again I'm affected. There needs to be change! It needs to be done right! I do not feel, however that yelling 'lie' at The President of the United States was at all appropriate! HE was elected by the people of this country! He is our leader! RESPECT HIM!! I don't care if you agree with him or not. We don't always agree with what our President is saying or their actions. But you do not yell at him in the middle of a speech. That pissed me off! It made me angry! You do not do that - A senator should know that! I hope he gets a lot of flax. I hope that the majority of this nation is disgusted by his actions as I was and still am.

That is all.

little update

Wedding trauma has calmed down. :o) Hotel issues are solved. Transportation issues are solved. However, I have lost all interest in these damn favor boxes and rehearsal invites. They are both just sitting there in my living room. I think with the favor boxes I'm going to do them at night when Erin is home, so that I can get some help from him. The rehearsal invites - they are made, they are even in their envelopes, I have the map from Jen, I even have stamps.....I just don't want to finish and send them. However, I'm going to make myself do them tomorrow!! No, seriously, I will. :o)

I will however, post pictures tomorrow of my latest cross stitch project. Now I just need frames! I think I'm going to see if my mom will pay to get my wedding sample matted and framed for us this weekend. I think possibility is good. Especially since Michael's and Joann's always have 50% - 60% off deals on framing.

I think Erin had a good birthday yesterday. He keeps saying he likes the cake I made him and we ordered pizza for dinner. Very laid back. Tomorrow however, I think it's going to be 'Erin's day.' We are going to get his hair cut, renew this magazine subscription he likes, maybe go see the movie '9.' Simple things - but all things he wants to do.

Other than that just getting ready for my mom's visit this weekend!! I'll do the main cleaning on Friday, but I've done little things to prepare. I do however think we will take her to Indy on Sunday. It all depend on how my aunt is doing. I can't let my mom visit me and be just 3 hours from Indy and not take her there if my aunt is still in the hospital. I just can't! We won't get into all that though - happy thoughts! :o)

Well off to finish my project so I can post pictures tomorrow. :oP Oh, I'm sure I have a things to clean in the kitchen too.

By the way - Fall TV is back in 2 weeks!!

birthday cake

Erin's birthday is tomorrow and I decided to make him a birthday cake. I was going to do it tomorrow as a surprise, however he was grumpy today so I made it early. I made it from scratch -- my first cake from scratch EVER! I don't make cakes either....so it was probably my 3rd ever cake too. I think it turned out ok. Erin liked it so that's all that matters. :o)

before going in the oven

all iced up!

Lexi watching me while protecting the RSVP's and my 'list'

Wedding Music

Calling for help.... :o)

SO, I am trying to fill out this music worksheet for our wedding....Erin is being NO help! In 50 min we have picked 5 songs....

Any suggestions?!?! For anything....

wedding break

I'm taking a break from doing wedding projects until Tuesday! That's when I'll pick back up on making the favor boxes. Things are just starting to go wrong and I'm stressing!! Plus it's a holiday weekend so I can't get a hold of anyone until Tuesday. So what am I doing....constantly thinking about these things....

The hotel now isn't guaranteeing the shuttle service! We only picked the damn hotel for the shuttle! UGH!! I can't get a hold of my contact until Tuesday. ARGH!

The rehearsal dinner count just keeps going up and up and up. I don't even want to go anymore!

A guest wanted me to find them an RV park and find them transportation! I THINK NOT! (Erin handled that one)

I made a wedding website for a reason - USE IT! Don't send the RSVP card with a note asking for directions and hotel information. UM check the map I put in the invite!

I could go on..... :o)

Spent the afternoon yesterday helping Aric and Brittany with their house. They are almost all set up. We helped hang pictures/lay garage flooring. It was fun. I'm glad we could be of help. :o) We are even going to be helping them later on today or Monday with some more moving projects. They are being gracious enough to hold our rehearsal dinner the LEAST we can do it help them with their new home projects! Other than that it's just a nice long weekend with Erin.

Time to go read or cross stitch.

Oh my mom is visiting on Saturday!! YAY!! I'm soooooo excited for her to see our home and do wedding meetings with her. She has never seen this apartment and my dad saw it when we first moved in. She also hasn't seen anything wedding except pictures and the stuff I made to show her when we were all in Indy. I just can't wait for her to see my dress! Yep, that's right, she hasn't even seen my dress other than pictures. :o( We will make up for that this weekend though!!

HAve a GREAT holiday! Enjoy the wonderful weather!! I REFUSE to close our windows even though it's close to 80. :o)

Our rehearsal invites....They are last min and simple. I also found a way to use up some old patterned paper. I am just waiting on a list and then I can mail them. I'm so over this dinner. :o)

Um....besides that just taking a break from wedding projects. I needed one. I was getting to wrapped up/annoyed with them. So, I bought myself some cross stitch projects from Michael's yesterday. They were on sale and an additional 40% off - 4 for $12 is what I ended up with!

I think I'll continue my break for a few more days and then knock out the rest of the favor boxes. Then all that's left is seating cards! :o) Oh and the program...if I decide to have one.

I did watch Coraline last night. It was really cute! At least I thought so. I like Tim Burton movies though. I can't wait to see 9. Maybe I can get Erin to see it at the movie theater, he does owe me. :oP Tonight we are going to watch the X-Files movie and have Subway for dinner. Yes I said X-Files movie. I'm not ashamed to say I watched the tv show and saw the first movie. I like that stuff.

Well back to cleaning and waiting for Erin. Nancy is doing good. She is in rehab and might be for another week. All that matters is that she is well enough for our wedding! Which is 35 days away. :o)

sadness...

Well my hair dryer is officially just about dead! I used it yesterday morning and half the time it blew out cold air and kept struggling. I have had if for about 5 years so I guess it's time for it to go... :o( I was hoping it would last until I found a new job. Our deal is when I get a job I can get a new hair dryer and straightener. Well, I get the new hair dryer now. :o)

This is what I picked. It's from Target.

I had to order it online because the don't sell it in the stores. It has great reviews. Plus it was only $20. I will update with how it works when I get it. :o)

BBQ Chicken

I tried out our new crock pot yesterday. The meal....BBQ Pulled Chicken. It was yummy! Jen, you said you wanted the recipe....there is no recipe! :o) But I'll tell you what I did.

Get chicken breasts - the kind that still have the bones in them. I found some at Meijer's that had been halved already.

Then pick any kind of BBQ sauce that you like. I bought a smokey, brown sugar kind. You'll want 2 bottles.

I cleaned the fat off the chicken. I was only able to fit three of the four breasts in my crock pot. I then put about 1/4 of the BBQ sauce bottle in on top of the chicken. Just made sure it covered them. Turn crock pot on Low and put the top on. :o)

I turned the chicken after about 3 hours. After about 4 to 4.5 hours I checked and it was cooked to I took out the chicken and cleaned the crock pot out. (Just dumped out the liquid and wiped it out)

I then shredded the chicken - it came right off the bone and put it back into the crock pot. I then put in a bottle of BBQ sauce and a 1/2 cup of water. (I put in water because the sauce was sooo thick and I thought the chicken was a little dry)

I thought it would take longer than 4 - 4.5 hours to cook. So, I put our in the fridge and then heated it back up for about 45 min on low in the crock pot. Or if you were ready to eat it right away I'd say just heat it for about 15 - 25 min. We had ours on rolls and it was really yummy!! I also kept tasting it when checking to see if it was hot when reheating and I kept thinking it was dry....but when we had dinner it wasn't dry at all.

Also, it makes a TON! Between us we had 3 big sandwiches, I put some away for Erin's lunch today and my dinner later on this week AND still put enough for maybe two meals in the freezer!

It was really easy and really yummy! Try it Jen!! :o)