I would like....

I went through my wedding magazines and tore out the pages I wanted, so that I could get rid of the magazines. One page I tore out was because I liked the travel bag they had pictured. WELL, now I have visited the site and want more! :oP They are also available in a few stores here in Ohio....this isn't good. :o) They are by Jane Marvel. You can do different patters on them.

The Large Overhead bag (the reason I went to the site)

Just two of the bags I now have on my wish list....Not telling Erin though - I don't want him to hurt himself rolling his eyes at me and trying to convince me I don't need a bag. Although it will ultimately end with 'when you get a job, we'll see' :o)

Carry-All handbag

The Mini Jitney

finished and beginning

Here are a few pictures of finished and beginning projects...It's been a busy week.

First off - our guestbook was on the doorstep when we got home today.

We LOVE it!! Thanks Jen! 

I actually finished a letter BEFORE the baby was born. :o)

The letter 'G' for my cousins pending baby. I think she is due in September.

Maps/address labels, printed and cut! The maps are all different sizes and that's ok. 

Still have about 15 address labels to make/cut. But I'm waiting on those addresses. 

Cookie cutters for the Bridal shower favors. I'm making and decorating cookies.

Yeah, hearts are boring...but they didn't have anything really cute. 

I was looking for a dress or XOX ones. Ah well, I didn't feel like paying shipping online.

I will be testing them out next week, Erin will take them to work for taste testing. Be on the look out for a post.

My wedding crafts! I am using our trunk top as storage since the wedding stuff is starting to pile up. I have my binder/paper/files/gifts/paper items all here. Plus the IPod station for music. :o)

And to end the post, Lexi watching the neighbors dog, who isn't in the picture. 

She is LOVING the windows open today. So are we! 

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!

yay

Still feeling crappy! I know it's because I didn't get enough sleep. However, my spirits are lifted because....

I ordered my guest book and got Jen a copy for FREE!

My wedding shoes came in and 

Erin is taking me to the mall tomorrow to try them on/purchase them.

Jen sent me a wonderful idea to dress up my favors. 

I'll get back to my wedding stationary stuff tomorrow...maybe I'll post them for ideas. :o)

hockey

The NHL schedule is released this week....which means I have to figure out if I'm going to get tickets as Erin's wedding gift. 

I'm hoping there is a Sunday game and then we can just go to a game on Sunday. I can't see us wanting to go on Saturday night. We don't know it yet, but I have a feeling we will be so tired once the wedding is over. I also don't want want to go to a game on our wedding night. Friday night could be an option, but I think they are trying to put together a hockey game to play themselves. So who knows. We will see, I want to try to figure it out when the schedule is released. 

Also, we got a Macy's add in the mail and well, I'm craving a new purse. When the purse can come with make-up - I'm sold! Since we should be going to the mall on Thursday to get my shoes *fingers crossed* they are here by then. I think we need to walk through Macy's. :o) Plus we can pay the bill..... :oP

Looks like I have two options. One is Estee Lauder...I can buy anything, at any price and then spend $30 for this red purse + goodies. The red purse is very cute! I don't have red. 

OR, this was in the add - the free gift from Elizabeth Arden. I have to spend $25 and then I get this for free. I don't have zebra print either. However, it's soooo hard to find something priced at $25 and you end up spending closer to $35 anyways. SO, I don't know. I don't need either....but I will go look. :o) 

Which one do you like?

getting organized....

Well it's 3 months until our wedding day, so it's time to get organized. Well more organized. :o)

First off I'm getting the invite list together and I think I'm done. I did everything by hand yesterday morning and freaked out. I had a count of 181 people, that's including kids and such. I then talked to my mom and she told me the people would would say no for sure and that put me down to about 130. Not bad, we are shooting for 120. Then today I put everything in Excel and well I can't count. It auto-summed for me 164 people. I was WAY off! I think I just counted the second page twice. So I'm way less stressed! I am even thinking we can allow the singles to bring a guest now. Who knows.

Second...I'm trying to figure out how to do the whole invitation thing. I knew it would be slightly complicated, there are a lot of rules....it's more complicated than I thought! There are so many different opinions out there. I'm going to rely on Martha Stewart Weddings. :o) I think I have some handle on things now. 

Who knows though. Speaking of Martha she has a new wedding magazine out...I want to get it! But I don't need it. I don't need to buy wedding magazines again. Sadness. 

Exciting things this week...

1. I am finally ordering our guest book and getting a free one for Jen, since she made it. :o) We had unexpected expenses last week, but I can get it this week! :O)

2. My shoes should arrive at Von Maur this week. Lets hope they fit and are comfortable. 

3. We are going to go see the new Harry Potter movie. Erin is REALLY excited. Going Thursday night with his brother and wife. 

4. Might start getting some wedding favor things.

5. Possibly get our rings engraved.

6. Get brown card stock for Jen.

I think that's it. It's been a uneventful weekend. Which is fine with me. :o) Erin has tomorrow off so we have big plans! UPS and Meijers. :oP

tiny update

Lets see....my last blog dealt with the pre-rehearsal dinner. It's a go. I'll know more about our menu on Friday, as the planner at the hotel will be off until then. 

I ordered my shoes for wedding day! :o) We went to Von Maur so I could try them on Saturday afternoon, no Friday afternoon. Well, the smallest size they had was an 8! So, I had them order me a 61/2. They should be here in about 2 weeks and then I can try them on. I just hope that size fits. I want them to fit perfectly!  *finger crossed*

Very ready to go shopping for my bridal shower supplies. However I have to wait for my $. They said it would be deposited on the 4 business day...I hoped that meant I would have the $ on the 4th business day, which is today. Nope. I'm guessing tomorrow....probably will be Wednesday before I see it. Ah well. Anyways, Jen made me a cute invite and I have a craft planned for it. (pictures when I make one) Then, I have the invite list from my mom and the games are done and it's over a month away....so I think I'm good. :o)

Lastly, it was a nice relaxing weekend. Erin had a 4 day weekend and it was great! Thursday we did some grocery shopping in the morning. Then Friday we had a cookout at his brothers house, they are officially moved back. We played Clue and made s'mores. Saturday, I didn't feel good so we laid around all day and finished our Harry Potter playback. (Erin is a huge fan and we will be seeing the new one the day after it comes out, so over the past few weeks we have watched all 5 Harry Potter movies so I could be prepared.) Then yesterday we again just laid around. We watched Superman Returns - I had never seen a Superman movie! I kid you not. That was my first! I made a yummy dinner and Erin bought desert - frosty and a frosty float. :o)

I think that's all that has happened. No pictures taken this weekend otherwise I'd share. I do have one of my shoes and Lexi helping me plan a menu for the pre-rehearsal party. (Needless to say I had to use the internet to see the menu...)

Have a GREAT Monday! 

Here are my shoes....I took at pic at the store :oP And then one of Lexi helping me plan.

I have to finish 4 cross stitch projects that have been laying around unfinished for probably a year or so. Some less than that. However, I must finish them before I can buy the supplies for the one I want to start. I was trying to work on them this weekend, but only ended up finishing one of them. It's not really 'cross stitching' either. Just a project I think I got with my grandma at a store we used to go to in Noblesville, IN. I don't even think they are open anymore. Yeah, that's where I got it...it was free with purchase and I never finished it...this one is from YEARS ago!

Before

After

Plans for the week:

We have a meeting on Wednesday night to discuss Rehearsal Dinner options with the Chef at the Renaissance Hotel. :o) SO excited!! Once upon a time I wanted a cocktail reception for our wedding. That is not happening and that is ok. Instead I will have a cocktail rehearsal get together BEFORE the rehearsal! It's going to be fun!! :o)

I'm hoping there is enough $$ that I can at least go get my hair trimmed and layered on Thursday. I'm growing it out for the wedding and possibly to stay long. (Erin's hoping I keep it long) However, at this length I need a few more layers to keep it from being so thick at the bottom. Plus I need a trim! I want to stop wearing it in a ponytail ALL the time. :o)

Erin has a 3 day week! YAY for him. Not sure what we are doing for the 4th yet...hmmmm....

Should be an easy week. :o)

Erin just emailed me from work and at the end of his email he said 

 'I told everyone about our rings!! :-) '

I love that man! I was telling Aric last weekend that he is sooo excited about getting married. It just warms my heart and I know I'm marrying my sole mate! I am just so ready to start our marriage. Plus I can't wait until we get to be parents....if he is like this I can only imagine him when we get to that point.

Also, I think we are going to get our rings engraved. Even though one day down the road I hope to have a different set, this ring will ALWAYS be my wedding ring. My engagement ring will be handed down, but not my wedding ring. It'll go in a special place in my jewelry box, on a chain around my neck. SO, I want to make it even more special and have both rings engraved. I want it to be special too. Something that is only understood by us. I just don't know what yet. We have an idea, I just need to price it out and see if the phrases will fit inside our rings...I am almost 100% positive they will. Just over 3 months!! :o)

UPDATE:

$18 + tax to have both rings engraved with the phrases we are thinking of. I thought it would be more. :o) Now to see if they can do rings...I be they can.

big night

Well I finally got my ears re-pierced! I've had them pierced since grade school, but sometime after moving to OH the left ear closed up in the back. I probably could have gotten a really pointy earring and poked it through...Nah, I couldn't have. So, tonight we went to Claires and I had my ears re-pierced. They will be healed in time for wedding day. Yay! And they don't hurt too bad. 

Then we had Chick-Filet for dinner...yum! Then we went to Victoria Secret...they are having a huge sale and I found a cute casual Maxi dress. No more for me. I told Erin this was the last one. Now I have two...one more dressy, one more casual. 

Tomorrow we meet with our wedding photographer, I'm really excited! Then Saturday is date movie in the morning. :o)

Also, I heard from the lady doing my hair for the wedding, the hair style I like will work with those bobby pins I want. So, if the stuff I'm selling on e-bay sells for enough $$ I'll buy them. 

I think that's it....

who knew!

JEN! Our minds are too alike!! I've been looking for couches, something to get when we move next year. I am finally able to get on the computer and I was thinking about blogging about my wish list (couch I like)...the one Erin and I have for when we have $$ and of course, I look at your blog and what did you do....a Wish List! I really was thinking about it...thought about it yesterday too. Call me whatever, but here is my wish list...

A JOB!!!

New Living Room couch 

Will hopefully get when we move...

Volks Wagon CC

Tacori Ring

Honeymoon in Sanibel Island

thanks!

This is a special thanks to Jen! 

I don't know what I would do without you during this wedding planning experience!

My wedding day will be even more special because of the items designed by you. :o) 

sleep....

So, I haven't slept well since Wednesday night. I have been up until after midnight, then don't sleep through the night, and then will be wide awake at 5am after Erin gets up and leaves for work. It's been AWFUL! It's made me have headaches, dizzy spells, be light headed, and last night I was crying because I just wanted to SLEEP! Erin put his foot down and made me get my preventative migraine medicine tonight. I didn't complain. So much for saving a bit of money. Insurance I need you!! However, I plan on having an amazing nights sleep. I told Erin I was going to sleep from 8pm tonight until noon tomorrow. He said 'OK!' Love him!! 

Also, at the store he bought me a Brides magazine. I have tooooo many ideas and crafts that I want to do and today I realized I need FOCUS! I don't know how I became unfocused...Oh yeah, the daily e-mails from the wedding websites...ugh! I'm hoping the magazine will get me to focus and narrow everything down. 

Britt also got her bridesmaid dress today...Jen is getting hers soon. I'm soo excited! The dresses went on sale! Woo Hoo! Then I got a txt from Britt saying she loved the dress and that it was very flattering. YAY! Made me feel good. 

Erin and I have also decided to go out to a nice dinner the night after our wedding...Sunday. We are going to go to Hyde Park here in Columbus. Just a quiet, romantic, first night out as married couple. A celebration for making it through the day on Saturday and the months that led up to it. :o)  It's getting sooo close I just can't wait to be married to him! 

1 - 5

First of all....up for WAY too long today! I don't know what my problem is, well I do. But I can't seem to sleep anymore. It takes me forever to fall asleep, then I don't stay asleep, and then I can't fall back asleep after Erin leaves. UGH! I literally yarn ALL day. 

Second, this blog needed some color! I really liked the gray and pink...but before that it was b

lack and I just needed COLOR! Plus, I'm bored out of my mind, why not change it. Although, I seriously change it toooooo much!!! I know, I know. SO, no changes for one month! :o)

Third, we are figuring out money stuff, but I think thinks are going to work our way and we will get those rings. Plus, they aren't expensive at all! We will spend less than $300 for both. I found mine on sale and Erin's isn't that much. I just figure, this is something we can, no we will, upgrade. (I will post my moms upgrade rule later) We can't upgrade flowers, pictures, food, you get it, later on. I would rather spend what we can now on those things and spend a little less on rings. Hence, they can be upgraded. 

Forth, I may have a job interview, not sure yet. We have just been emailing each other so far. It's only part time, so I asked the hours and pay, she told me the hours (max 30 - eek) and asked what I need to be paid. I told her what I needed to keep me at the job until full time came around. (full time is something that could become available) It's for a leasing consultant. Honestly, I need out of this apartment - I'll take part time. Plus unemployment is running out. I can get another 20 weeks, but if I can make a little more by working part time, I'll take it!! So, we will see if she calls me after I told her the pay rate I would like. 

Fifth, and lastly, it's family weekend, not mine, Erin's. Erin's mom will be here tonight, she is staying at Erin's brothers house. However, they aren't in town until tomorrow, so we are the entertainers. Then I think there is a dinner tomorrow night with Britt's family. She graduates and gets her PhD on Sunday. This weekend shouldn't be boring. :o)

I'm a Celebrity...

Don't get me wrong, I watch reality TV...just not network, ie. NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS, reality TV. I watch shows like Real Housewives of (you pick, I've watched all but Atlanta) and Tori and Dean, Kathy Griffin....the stuff on Bravo, E, Oxygen....Whichever. I can admit my guilty pleasure! :oP But last night while commercials were on for House Hunters, I couldn't stop flipping over to I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! I kept going back and probably ended up watching half of it. It's like my description for Real Housewives - New Jersey, it's a train wreck and I just can't stop looking/watching. I want to turn my head but just can't. That's how I describe that show, but add, I want to hit stop and erase, but I just keep fast forwarding through the commercials. I have to watch it. So yeah, not sure I'll keep up with it....it'll probably be my 'I don't like to watch commercial's' show.

Also, my idea of a rehearsal cocktail party is in the works. I have to get back to the chief at The Renaissance, however, I'm waiting until Erin talks to Nancy about it. I don't want to get too excited and have a plan perfected only to be shot down. She is in town this weekend, so I'm making him talk to her. I talk to my mom, he gets to talk to his. 

Well, back to laying down. I can't tell you how tired I am of headaches!

girl movies

Last weekend I rented and convinced Erin to watch Bride Wars. It was such a cute movie! I definitely need to buy it at some point. Then this weekend I have watched He Is Just Not That Into You and The Women. Both great movies! Tons of great actors/actresses in it. I was pleasantly surprised. I want to also buy both of those movies.

Also, since I'm talking about tv, well movies, but anyways, we watched Harpers Island today. I have been hanging onto the fact that the killer is Jimmy, but I am having my doubts now. He was with Abby when Cole died. How could he be with Abby and shoot arrows into Cole? Ugh, now I just don't know. 5 more episodes, then we'll know. They have done a good job keeping my interest! 

But it hasn't been all tv this weekend, I finished 2 books! Now to figure out what to read next. 

I've decided....

I've decided that starting next year I'm going to make a photo book or scrap book every year. Starting at our wedding and then it will be our anniversary tradition - a new photo book every anniversary. I love it!

I'm working on one right now just to play around. I get a free book with my coupon so I might as well. I'll use whatever photos we have right now. I am getting a guest book of just Engagement photos, then we will have a wedding photo book. Then in October of 2010 we will make our 1 year anniversary book.

I'm sooo excited with my idea! I love it. Erin likes the idea too. I figured when we have kids, I will have scrap books for them. I really want to get into it. But everything cost $$ and that's not possible right now. I set a goal though...kids = scrap booking. :o)

Erin did apply for a good job in IN. I hope he gets a phone call, interview, something! I know I still need to find a job, but this one would be great for him! I already looked at apartments in that area. Although, depending on where I work, we may end up in a different area. I just looked based on the job location he applied to. (I know, I'm getting my hopes up...but ah well!)

We are looking at the 3 bedroom apts/town homes. 

Apartment 1 -- Firefox (they will paint for you!)

Apartment 2 -- Bradford Run

pictures

Jen said she is mailing me my pictures today! 

YAY!! 

When I get them I'm going to use my coupon for Shutterfly and get a free photo book and calendar and 4x6 prints. Hey, I have to use the coupon if it means FREE! :o)

parents....

So there's a lot going on and it's made me think about how my relationship with my parents has changed. My mom bought me this pillow a long time ago and it says....

A Daughter

is just a little girl 

who grows up

to be a Friend

I think this is soooo true for moms and daughters. Right now I feel like I need to be my mom's friend. I want to be a rock for her. I wish I were in TX so I could at least give her a hug, maybe cook and clean to help her out. 

With my dad...I'm always going to be his little girl. Sure I've grown up, I'm getting married, I'm going to have my own kids, but I'm still his little girl. We might have more grown up conversations, but I don't need to be a rock for him. I still need him to hug me and be my protector.

Again, when picking out a Mother's Day card, we got my mom and Erin's mom 'from us' cards. Made me realize we are an 'us' now. I've always wanted to do that. But with my dad, I started looking for a card for him and I can't even think about getting a 'from us' card. He is my dad and I can't share yet. :o) 

Well that's my seriousness for the day. I'll try to update tomorrow after our tasting! I can't wait, but there's a lot going on tomorrow, so who knows.

Also, I've lost some weight this week and can fit into one of my smaller jeans, with ease. :oP I've been really working on counting my calories and sticking to it! 

And if anyone saw my picture on Twitter this morning...Lexi is officially scared of me today because I yelled at her big time! But I taped up the broken blinds for now. Ugh, it's just one of those days today and was one before 9:30! So, Erin said he will take me to the mall tonight. I love our mall dates in the middle of the week. :o)

Monday Morning

So, I don't even have a job to go to and I don't like Monday mornings. It's always harder for me to get up and get motivated. But, I'm up and my first morning stop is, as always the computer. :o) I've checked my e-mail, applied to a few jobs, checked some accounts, now I'm blogging. (I am really just trying to put off going downstairs to do laundry.) :oP

Well, my laptop for now is out of commission. :o/ It's infected and I don't even know how! I did some research on google chrome...after all of this, not before...and I guess there has been some security issues with it. Ah well, live and learn. I should be more upset, but I'm not. I almost got rid of it once this year. Now I just need to get it fixed....that will take awhile, since I'm not headed to TX anytime soon. Hey, I have to take advantage of having a computer dad, which, by the way has a job! At least some people are hiring! :o) But, I'm now back to just desktop use and using Safari.

Anyways, I've been looking at what to do for a program for our wedding. I have a few things picked out that I deffinatly want to use. They both have trees, which I think is cute, they tie in together, and we are getting married outside so it works. First there is the kissing tree, from this blog.

I think it's sooo cute! I have one with my name first and Erin's name first. Then half the programs will be one name and then the other. You get it. :o) Next is a Martha Stewart Weddings idea.

 

It takes your b-day month and tells you what tree you would be. I think it's cute. :o)

I can't wait to start printing them. I don't even have the rest of the program done yet. Ah well. 

Lastly...I love when I get to check out NEW books from the library. I've had to cut down on spending $$ on new books, so I've been checking them out at the library. Well, I got started on the Sisterhood Series of books by Fern Michael's, there are now 12 books in the series. Well, number 12 is new and I just got it on Saturday! The pages are still crisp. I looks like it's never been read! I'm afraid to open it too wide, because I want the next person on the wait list to get it it in the condition I did. Don't get me wrong, I love old books too. Look at my bookshelf one day...I go to half price books to find the classics that have the fades pages and that old book smell. 

Well, enough time wasting for me. It's June! YAY! 

I need a job...

So, I really need a job. I have joined new groups out of my boredom...but they could be helpful too. I joined this networking site, Linkedin. My dad sent it to me. Sometimes getting a job is all about how well you network. It always help.

I also joined Twitter. I have gone back an forth about it since I started hearing about it. I just wasn't sure. Well, Jen joined...so I did. Actually, I just figured she wouldn't be updating myspace as much, so I had to get Twitter. I did however, make sure I could get an app for my phone first. :oP I can't join something if I can't have it at my fingertips. What's the point of having my phone if I can't use it. I found some apps, but they don't have a lot out for the Storm yet, but what I found is working.....for now. :o)

Anyways, joining Twitter...I didn't want a weird name and I didn't want to use my last name because I'll only have it for 4 more months. Therefore, I jumped the gun and used Erins last name...my future last name. I was soooo giddy when I went to tell Erin what I did. But when I log on to update my status it's so weird using McFall. But it makes me smile.

And Jen....My mom and Erins mom LOVED the guest book!! When you can start that business, you better use our pics for your portfolio, we will write rave reviews!! :o)