No. More. Snow! You are ruining EVERYTHiNG! Doctor's appointment for birth control, cancelled. Cleaning out storage, cancelled. Packing storage, cancelled. Making trees, cancelled. Cleaning out car, cance... Well, I guess I CoUlD do that (if I wanted to...) and if Kevin's flight tomorrow gets cancelled or delayed due to snow, I am going to throw a fit!!
So, what have I been doing all day yesterday and today if not what I was supposed to be doing!? Well, I cleaned and finished packing my bathroom, and started to declutter my bedroom. Today, I am going to finish decluttering my bedroom, pack my bedroom, clean out my car, and make bows for the wedding! Sounds busy, I better get started! More later...
P.S. Feel free to come help :)
Friday, December 17, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Behind already :/
How on Earth am I behind already, you ask? Hmm... Let's see... Of all of the things I was supposed to do today, I finished.... NONE! Ugh! My dad was behind schedule and therefore, I couldn't do anything I was supposed to do today! Instead, I did get other things done! I packed my room and only left out what I'll be using for the next couple of weeks, I packed my bathroom, I finished my laundry, I cleaned my room, and we did finish our Temple Prep classes yesterday! I also went to Target and exchanged a couple of things, bought our thank you cards and pretty clothes for our honeymoon ;) So, all in all, although I am going out of order, I AM getting things done!
Today was a weird day. In case you've missed it, I am crazy about to-do lists and schedules. Today, the worst case scenario actually happened. My dad missed our appointment to clean out the storage unit, so I went and it turns out I can't move anything because it's all packed in there so tight. I need a couple of big, strong men to move some heavy furniture around. Then, I was going to decorate Waverly, but my dad was having dinner with the missionaries at the same time that we were supposed to be decorating... I do love him dearly, but he needs a personal assistant to keep him straight. So now, it looks like we've rescheduled for Thursday morning! So, after waiting a while in the cold, I drove home. When I got home, Regina helped me clean/pack my room and bathroom and fold/hang my laundry! It's so nice to have help and company on such boring tasks :) After we finished, we waited on Dad Irwin to finish installing a thermostat and we left for Target! Yesterday, I got a gift in the mail from Bro. and Sis. Gruber, and when I opened it (a 17-piece Pyrex set!), I noticed one of the bowls was cracked, so I took it to Target to exchange it and went ahead and bought some other stuff I needed (see? PRO-duuuuuuuh-ctive!) Then, we went to dinner at Chic-Fil-A and caught the next ferry back!
On the way there, my best friend, Catherine, called with bad news... She can't make it to D.C. for the wedding :'(! I'm super bummed out because she is my absolute best friend in the whole wide world! It's hard to imagine my wedding day without her by my side, and although I can think of alternate solutions to get her to D.C. without invalidating her perfectly good reasons, I will let her make her move. At least I will have my mom and grandma with me on that special day!
That special day... hmmm... I can't believe this is really happening to me! In just 8 days, I will be going to the temple to be sealed for time and eternity to the love of my life, Kevin Andrew Irwin! It is so surreal that this is really happening! I have always dreamed of getting married and living happily ever after and here it is!!! I have very little to get done on wedding stuff besides taking care of myself! Mostly, now, I just have to worry about packing! I am so excited, and barely nervous!
Well, now that I've blogged my little heart out, I'm going to go write to Jeff (Kevin's missionary baby brother), and then hit the sack!
Adios :)!
Today was a weird day. In case you've missed it, I am crazy about to-do lists and schedules. Today, the worst case scenario actually happened. My dad missed our appointment to clean out the storage unit, so I went and it turns out I can't move anything because it's all packed in there so tight. I need a couple of big, strong men to move some heavy furniture around. Then, I was going to decorate Waverly, but my dad was having dinner with the missionaries at the same time that we were supposed to be decorating... I do love him dearly, but he needs a personal assistant to keep him straight. So now, it looks like we've rescheduled for Thursday morning! So, after waiting a while in the cold, I drove home. When I got home, Regina helped me clean/pack my room and bathroom and fold/hang my laundry! It's so nice to have help and company on such boring tasks :) After we finished, we waited on Dad Irwin to finish installing a thermostat and we left for Target! Yesterday, I got a gift in the mail from Bro. and Sis. Gruber, and when I opened it (a 17-piece Pyrex set!), I noticed one of the bowls was cracked, so I took it to Target to exchange it and went ahead and bought some other stuff I needed (see? PRO-duuuuuuuh-ctive!) Then, we went to dinner at Chic-Fil-A and caught the next ferry back!
On the way there, my best friend, Catherine, called with bad news... She can't make it to D.C. for the wedding :'(! I'm super bummed out because she is my absolute best friend in the whole wide world! It's hard to imagine my wedding day without her by my side, and although I can think of alternate solutions to get her to D.C. without invalidating her perfectly good reasons, I will let her make her move. At least I will have my mom and grandma with me on that special day!
That special day... hmmm... I can't believe this is really happening to me! In just 8 days, I will be going to the temple to be sealed for time and eternity to the love of my life, Kevin Andrew Irwin! It is so surreal that this is really happening! I have always dreamed of getting married and living happily ever after and here it is!!! I have very little to get done on wedding stuff besides taking care of myself! Mostly, now, I just have to worry about packing! I am so excited, and barely nervous!
Well, now that I've blogged my little heart out, I'm going to go write to Jeff (Kevin's missionary baby brother), and then hit the sack!
Adios :)!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
It's snowing!! LOTS! I woke up this morning, and just like any other morning, checked my text messages and emails, and hopped on Facebook (don't judge me!). I started seeing people's status updates about snow... Hmm..? Seeing as I have several friends all over the country, I started analyzing their geographical locations around the map... It wasn't until I got down to my neighbor that I thought to look outside, and sho'nuff, it is white as can be outside! I love it! I guess I better get used to it, huh?
So, it works out that I don't want to leave the house now, because today is a stay at home day according to my weekly task-list! I have so much to get done this week! Last night, Kevin and I figured out exactly what we were taking to ID and what we were leaving behind in the storage unit! I plan on posting a separate blog to list the things we are getting rid of, but I'll go ahead and list them. If you'll come haul it, it's yours for FREE! A queen sized box spring and mattress, mismatched dishes, a couple of pots and pans, a baker's rack, and mismatched glasses. I will be going that way in the next couple of days and everything is getting donated to the DAV, so speak now! WE have pretty much figured out how much stuff we're going to take out there, so now I just have to go sort the storage unit... in the cold... Sounds like fun, right?
As far as the house goes, I could probably have it packed in a couple of days, like today and tomorrow, but I have NO motivation! Being home alone is nice for blogging and watching movies, but not for packing and cleaning! I have had a fairly productive day already, though. I have a load of dishes in the dishwasher and a load of clothes in the washer! At the risk of boring you all to death, I am going to post my task-list on here in hopes that I'll stay on-track since I'll be held accountable by you guys!:
MON 12/13:
-do ALL laundry
-pack bedroom
-pack bedroom
-finish Temple Prep classes
TUE 12/14:
-Move piano
-Get rid of storage stuff
-Decorate Waverly restaurant
WED 12/15:
-Pack and organize storage
-Temple Rec. Interview @ Stake Center
THU 12/16:
-Finish packing home
-Doctor @325pm
-Buy: thank you cards, Christmas lights, and pretty clothes for the honeymoon :)
FRI 12/17:
-Finish creating winter wonderland trees
-Catch up on unfinished tasks
-Pay car off!
SAT 12/18:
-CLEAN!!!
...and, oh yeah... KEViN COMES HOME!!! I am so excited to have my snuffleupagus back home with me! I have missed him sooooo much! He has now been gone over 3 months and I miss him terribly! I can't wait 5 more days! We get married next week, and after a really hectic week following the wedding, hit the road for IDAHO! Woooo-Hooo!
Guess I should get started on my daily to-do, so I don't get screamed at by my blog-followers! Ta-ta for now!
So, it works out that I don't want to leave the house now, because today is a stay at home day according to my weekly task-list! I have so much to get done this week! Last night, Kevin and I figured out exactly what we were taking to ID and what we were leaving behind in the storage unit! I plan on posting a separate blog to list the things we are getting rid of, but I'll go ahead and list them. If you'll come haul it, it's yours for FREE! A queen sized box spring and mattress, mismatched dishes, a couple of pots and pans, a baker's rack, and mismatched glasses. I will be going that way in the next couple of days and everything is getting donated to the DAV, so speak now! WE have pretty much figured out how much stuff we're going to take out there, so now I just have to go sort the storage unit... in the cold... Sounds like fun, right?
As far as the house goes, I could probably have it packed in a couple of days, like today and tomorrow, but I have NO motivation! Being home alone is nice for blogging and watching movies, but not for packing and cleaning! I have had a fairly productive day already, though. I have a load of dishes in the dishwasher and a load of clothes in the washer! At the risk of boring you all to death, I am going to post my task-list on here in hopes that I'll stay on-track since I'll be held accountable by you guys!:
MON 12/13:
-do ALL laundry
-pack bedroom
-pack bedroom
-finish Temple Prep classes
TUE 12/14:
-Move piano
-Get rid of storage stuff
-Decorate Waverly restaurant
WED 12/15:
-Pack and organize storage
-Temple Rec. Interview @ Stake Center
THU 12/16:
-Finish packing home
-Doctor @325pm
-Buy: thank you cards, Christmas lights, and pretty clothes for the honeymoon :)
FRI 12/17:
-Finish creating winter wonderland trees
-Catch up on unfinished tasks
-Pay car off!
SAT 12/18:
-CLEAN!!!
...and, oh yeah... KEViN COMES HOME!!! I am so excited to have my snuffleupagus back home with me! I have missed him sooooo much! He has now been gone over 3 months and I miss him terribly! I can't wait 5 more days! We get married next week, and after a really hectic week following the wedding, hit the road for IDAHO! Woooo-Hooo!
Guess I should get started on my daily to-do, so I don't get screamed at by my blog-followers! Ta-ta for now!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
MmMmMm... Hot cocoa =)
Hello there! I have returned! My room is clean, my daily to-do list is completed, the parents are out on date night, it's raining outside, and I have a steaming mug of fragrant, delicious hot chocolate(with real marshmallows!) as I sit at the computer! It's actually quite a temptation, that mug... I really just want to sit in front of the fireplace with my hot chocolate and stare into the flames (or the tv) for hours on end. I, however, owe you an update!
Last time we talked, I had to go clean my room. Since then, I've:
-attended my baby brother's Christmas program at school (soooo cute!)
-actually cleaned my room!
-watched Eclipse (it was TERRIBLE!!!)
-babysat my precious Althea (well, really just supervised Monica while SHE babysat Althea)
-lost my $300 4th generation Ipod touch
-and... drumroll please... GOT A PERM!
YEP, I finally did it! I got a curly CuRLy perm today! It is SO cute! Although I smell terrible (the perm, not I), I am really pleased with the end result! Perhaps I'll attach a picture sometime soon when I don't look a hot mess! I am so thrilled to have super duper curly shirley hair! I figured in order to pull off two days of wedding celebrations, I was going to have to figure out how to style my own hair, and since it was in a terrible in-between super-short and kinda-short phase, I decided to go curly! Now, I can just put some product in it and voila! It's uber cute!!!
Oh yeah, about that Ipod... I am so mad at myself for losing it! I had it on Tuesday when I went out with my dad. I remember the last time I saw it, and then I got out of his truck in a hurry. I remember throwing stuff in my car and thinking that I should put some of it up front, but I decided against it! It was days before I even realized I needed it. I could do without the music and everything, but Kevin and I use it to talk to eachother on Facetime. That means we can see eachother face-to-face with it, and without it, I can't see him.... That's the part that really upsets me! I understand that he comes home in a week, and if it's lost, it was well worth the $300 to be able to talk to him face-to-face (technically) for a month, but it was still tons of money and I'd like it back :'(! I'm holding out hope that it's in either my dad's truck or mine, and that I'll find it the next time I look for it! Cross your fingers for me!
So, an Idaho update! I just got off the phone with my dearest Kevin, and he just left our new apartment! He said it looks brand-spankin' new! He said everything looks like it was just built/installed and that the apartment itself is beautiful! Big kitchen/dining room, big bathrom, decent sized bedroom, and he said the living room will fit our entertainment center, 50" flat screen, a couch, and a chair! Ready for the best part!? WE CAN SEE THE TEMPLE FROM OUR BEDROOM WINDOW! Aaaahhh!!! How cool is that!?! To be able to look out our window and see such a beautiful sight! It must be such a refreshing thing to look at from such an important room in our home :) I am so excited! I wish I could close my eyes and wake up and be in Idaho! Past the wedding, and past the trip, and way past the packing! Such is life....
Well, now you know what's going on, so I am going to go start packing... Fun, right!?
Last time we talked, I had to go clean my room. Since then, I've:
-attended my baby brother's Christmas program at school (soooo cute!)
-actually cleaned my room!
-watched Eclipse (it was TERRIBLE!!!)
-babysat my precious Althea (well, really just supervised Monica while SHE babysat Althea)
-lost my $300 4th generation Ipod touch
-and... drumroll please... GOT A PERM!
YEP, I finally did it! I got a curly CuRLy perm today! It is SO cute! Although I smell terrible (the perm, not I), I am really pleased with the end result! Perhaps I'll attach a picture sometime soon when I don't look a hot mess! I am so thrilled to have super duper curly shirley hair! I figured in order to pull off two days of wedding celebrations, I was going to have to figure out how to style my own hair, and since it was in a terrible in-between super-short and kinda-short phase, I decided to go curly! Now, I can just put some product in it and voila! It's uber cute!!!
Oh yeah, about that Ipod... I am so mad at myself for losing it! I had it on Tuesday when I went out with my dad. I remember the last time I saw it, and then I got out of his truck in a hurry. I remember throwing stuff in my car and thinking that I should put some of it up front, but I decided against it! It was days before I even realized I needed it. I could do without the music and everything, but Kevin and I use it to talk to eachother on Facetime. That means we can see eachother face-to-face with it, and without it, I can't see him.... That's the part that really upsets me! I understand that he comes home in a week, and if it's lost, it was well worth the $300 to be able to talk to him face-to-face (technically) for a month, but it was still tons of money and I'd like it back :'(! I'm holding out hope that it's in either my dad's truck or mine, and that I'll find it the next time I look for it! Cross your fingers for me!
So, an Idaho update! I just got off the phone with my dearest Kevin, and he just left our new apartment! He said it looks brand-spankin' new! He said everything looks like it was just built/installed and that the apartment itself is beautiful! Big kitchen/dining room, big bathrom, decent sized bedroom, and he said the living room will fit our entertainment center, 50" flat screen, a couch, and a chair! Ready for the best part!? WE CAN SEE THE TEMPLE FROM OUR BEDROOM WINDOW! Aaaahhh!!! How cool is that!?! To be able to look out our window and see such a beautiful sight! It must be such a refreshing thing to look at from such an important room in our home :) I am so excited! I wish I could close my eyes and wake up and be in Idaho! Past the wedding, and past the trip, and way past the packing! Such is life....
Well, now you know what's going on, so I am going to go start packing... Fun, right!?
Thursday, December 9, 2010
I am flawed :)
Yes, it's true! I'm not perfect, so lower the bar a bit will ya? I'm a little overwhelmed!
Recently, three different friends mentioned that they thought I was so "perfect". One of them even mentioned how jealous she was at the life I lead... This really upset me! Not so much because I mind being told I'm a role model, but because I don't want to feel like everything I do is going to make her look bad. I mean, it's not a competition! I'm not trying to be a better wife and potential mother than her or anything! So, I decided to sit down and really think about my flaws and point them out!
Flaw #1 and perhaps the biggest one: I am a S.L.O.B.! Like, not just your ordinary slob, but like MASSiVE slob! I will let my room get to bio hazardous levels before cleaning it! I have been known to go sleep on the couch because I can't sleep in such a messy environment! I HATE cleaning! I can cook all you want, but when it comes to cleaning up after myself, it's like torture! Any space that is shared space is safe. For example, here at the Irwins, I may leave a dish or two in the sink (although I do my part when it comes to loading and unloading the dishwasher), but I never leave a mess in any part of the house besides my space. The keyword in that was "leave", not to say I don't "make" a mess, I just never "leave" it there! My bathroom is usually pretty safe. It is not always CLEAN, but it is organized. Could I use the toilet brush a bit more often? Yep! Could I scrub the tub a lot more often? YES! How about windexing the mirror? Oh yeah! But basic stuff, like making sure it looks sanitary and having a clean sink and towel, I can do! Also, I have all of my bathroom stuff (hair stuff, lotions, makeup, first aid) categorized into little plastic totes in my drawers, so everything is usually in its place. Lately though, I've been making a mess in there, too! I'll tell you what my downfall is: CLOTHES. EVERYWHERE! I don't understand it! My room is covered in clothes. Clean clothes at that! I HATE folding and hanging! I remember Catherine used to come over when I lived in Smithfield and I would wash allllll of my clothes and she would help me fold and hang them! Maybe it's because I wait soooo long to do laundry, so by the time I do it, I have 4 loads to do! Perhaps if I did laundry more regularly, it wouldn't be such a chore to wash, dry, fold/hang... There's a thought! SO, I take my clothes upstairs in a hamper and they stay there and eventually I have to dig through it to get something and clothes end up all over the floor! Not only that, but when I take my clothes off at the end of the night, wherever I'm standing is where they end up, a la Time Traveler's Wife! (anyone who's seen that knows what I mean) I am so sick and tired of being a slob, but have no idea how to combat it in the bedroom! In the bathroom, my organizational totes worked, but now what to do!?
Flaw#2: I am a drama queen. I can take the smallest, most insignificant comment and turn it into the next world war! This is something I've recently learned about myself! It's not that I make things up and way over-exaggerate, I just take things too personally and end up looking way too much into things! So, by the time I'm venting (usually to Kevin, Catherine, or Regina) I have already worked it out in my mind that it's the end of the world. The problem with this is by the time it gets to them, they no longer have the opportunity to calm me down and change my mind because I am set on what I believe is what is happening. How to overcome this? Stop being so super stressed and thinking the world is out to get me. Is this an feasible task right this second? You try planning a wedding and a cross-country move and when you figure out how not to be super stressed, let me know!
Flaw#3: Although I am great at multi-tasking, I am terrible at prioritizing. For example, I am blogging. Just a second ago, I mentioned that I am a slob and my room is bio hazardous, and yet, I'm blogging about it rather than cleaning it. I do not prioritize well. I put my blinders on and set myself on one project and forget about the rest of my life. For right now, my project is wedding, so even though a bag lady wouldn't even live in my room, I am more concerned with finishing centerpieces. The problem? All wedding things that I'm in charge of are done except our Saturday project. Since today is not Saturday, I do not have anything wedding to do today. Granted, I need to figure out my hair and makeup, but is that really more important than having a clean room? No. So, here I go... I'll be back later!
Recently, three different friends mentioned that they thought I was so "perfect". One of them even mentioned how jealous she was at the life I lead... This really upset me! Not so much because I mind being told I'm a role model, but because I don't want to feel like everything I do is going to make her look bad. I mean, it's not a competition! I'm not trying to be a better wife and potential mother than her or anything! So, I decided to sit down and really think about my flaws and point them out!
Flaw #1 and perhaps the biggest one: I am a S.L.O.B.! Like, not just your ordinary slob, but like MASSiVE slob! I will let my room get to bio hazardous levels before cleaning it! I have been known to go sleep on the couch because I can't sleep in such a messy environment! I HATE cleaning! I can cook all you want, but when it comes to cleaning up after myself, it's like torture! Any space that is shared space is safe. For example, here at the Irwins, I may leave a dish or two in the sink (although I do my part when it comes to loading and unloading the dishwasher), but I never leave a mess in any part of the house besides my space. The keyword in that was "leave", not to say I don't "make" a mess, I just never "leave" it there! My bathroom is usually pretty safe. It is not always CLEAN, but it is organized. Could I use the toilet brush a bit more often? Yep! Could I scrub the tub a lot more often? YES! How about windexing the mirror? Oh yeah! But basic stuff, like making sure it looks sanitary and having a clean sink and towel, I can do! Also, I have all of my bathroom stuff (hair stuff, lotions, makeup, first aid) categorized into little plastic totes in my drawers, so everything is usually in its place. Lately though, I've been making a mess in there, too! I'll tell you what my downfall is: CLOTHES. EVERYWHERE! I don't understand it! My room is covered in clothes. Clean clothes at that! I HATE folding and hanging! I remember Catherine used to come over when I lived in Smithfield and I would wash allllll of my clothes and she would help me fold and hang them! Maybe it's because I wait soooo long to do laundry, so by the time I do it, I have 4 loads to do! Perhaps if I did laundry more regularly, it wouldn't be such a chore to wash, dry, fold/hang... There's a thought! SO, I take my clothes upstairs in a hamper and they stay there and eventually I have to dig through it to get something and clothes end up all over the floor! Not only that, but when I take my clothes off at the end of the night, wherever I'm standing is where they end up, a la Time Traveler's Wife! (anyone who's seen that knows what I mean) I am so sick and tired of being a slob, but have no idea how to combat it in the bedroom! In the bathroom, my organizational totes worked, but now what to do!?
Flaw#2: I am a drama queen. I can take the smallest, most insignificant comment and turn it into the next world war! This is something I've recently learned about myself! It's not that I make things up and way over-exaggerate, I just take things too personally and end up looking way too much into things! So, by the time I'm venting (usually to Kevin, Catherine, or Regina) I have already worked it out in my mind that it's the end of the world. The problem with this is by the time it gets to them, they no longer have the opportunity to calm me down and change my mind because I am set on what I believe is what is happening. How to overcome this? Stop being so super stressed and thinking the world is out to get me. Is this an feasible task right this second? You try planning a wedding and a cross-country move and when you figure out how not to be super stressed, let me know!
Flaw#3: Although I am great at multi-tasking, I am terrible at prioritizing. For example, I am blogging. Just a second ago, I mentioned that I am a slob and my room is bio hazardous, and yet, I'm blogging about it rather than cleaning it. I do not prioritize well. I put my blinders on and set myself on one project and forget about the rest of my life. For right now, my project is wedding, so even though a bag lady wouldn't even live in my room, I am more concerned with finishing centerpieces. The problem? All wedding things that I'm in charge of are done except our Saturday project. Since today is not Saturday, I do not have anything wedding to do today. Granted, I need to figure out my hair and makeup, but is that really more important than having a clean room? No. So, here I go... I'll be back later!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Goodness gracious, great balls of...
STRESS! AAAhhh! Will blog later. I haven't forgottem you dearies, but I Must MUst MUST get things crossed off the wedding to-do list! Byebye for now!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Missionary Goodies
Marvelously Minty Cookies
These pretty pastel-colored cookies are perfect for a spring baby shower.
Prep Time
15Minutes
Total Time
1:45Hr:Mins
Makes
About 8 dozen cookies
2 1/2
cups sugar
1
cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2
cup shortening
1
teaspoon vanilla
2
eggs
4
cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
2
teaspoons baking soda
1
teaspoon salt
3
cups petite pastel-colored mint chips
- Heat oven to 350°F. Beat sugar, butter, shortening, vanilla and eggs in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, or mix with spoon. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in mint chips.
- Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake 11 to 13 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 30 seconds; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.
Makes About 8 dozen cookies
Make the Most of This Recipe With Tips From The Betty Crocker® Kitchens
Success Hint
Cooling cookies on a wire cooling rack prevents them from becoming soggy.
Special Touch
These pretty cookies are great to give as a gift. Just stack about 6 to 8 cookies and wrap in colored or clear plastic wrap and tie the top with a colorful ribbon.
Nutrition Information:
1 Serving (1 Cookie)- Calories 80
- (Calories from Fat 25),
- Total Fat 3g
- (Saturated Fat 2g,
- Cholesterol 10mg;
- Sodium 65mg;
- Total Carbohydrate 12g
- (Dietary Fiber 0g,
- Protein 1g;
© 2010 ®/TM General Mills All Rights Reserved
So little time...
...to get everything done!***WARNiNG BORiNG WEDDING POST!!!***
I have such a looooong list of things that need to get done ASAP for the wedding and the move! We had a "wedding meeting" tonight to make sure we were all on the same page and I feel a bit better about it all, but it is still a bit shaky... Tomorrow, my dad and I are headed to Garden Ridge to get the finishing materials for the centerpieces and the poinsettias for around the fountain. Hopefully, we can also go ahead and buy the water glasses and cider mugs for the reception. I also need to stop by Chesapeake Square Mall and need to get my abandoned headpiece from Sherrie's (we left it behind after the bridal shower)! Oh yeah, I also have to clean my room, bathroom, and do some laundry... Not to mention, Kevin forgot to mention some people that should've gotten invites that I need to mail out tomorrow!!! Which means I get to hand address invites on the way to Chesapeake while my dad drives. I guess that works out since it's an hour drive! I think I've finally gotten all of my RSVPs straight... I SO wish people would RSVP! It's not hard... Just mail back the preaddressed, stamped envelope with a number on it! You don't even have to write your name on it! JUST a number!!! I'm having to track people down to see if they're coming to my wedding, lol! I feel so needy asking people, "Hey! Are you coming to my wedding?" It's like saying, "Hey! Do you love me and want to buy me a present?"... Awkward!!! I could SO use a personal assistant right about now... I need my KitCAt, but of course, she's married with a child and working full-time, which means limited time to help with wedding stuff! Through it all, she has kept me sane still, but now is not the time to abandon me!!! Today, I had such a busy day and go so much done! I went to Wal-Mart with a page-long shopping list and had to go to Lowe's to buy supplies for wedding deco! I actually got it all done, went to the post office, and got my nails done! I even made it home in time to make Gingerbread Cookies, Marvelously Minty Cookies, and Root Beer Float Cookies! Want the recipes? I'll post them in a separate blog entitled "Missionary Goodies". Why missionary? Because I baked them all to go in the Christmas box to Kevin's little brother who is on his mission in Las Vegas! He gets tons of goodies this year! From K and I, he gets a tie, gloves, a crocheted scarf (that I still need to make!), and the cookies+minty fudge brownies! The gingerbread men are SO cute! I decorated them like missionaries! If I knew how to upload pictures, I would, but IDK how... help? Well, I got the picture at the top, so it'll have to stay there, lol! I felt like blogging to let off some wedding stress and surpirsingly, I do feel lots better, so I think I'll go work on getting my room clean until the boo calls :) I'll post the recipes, then bedtime! Au revoir!
Cross-country honeymoon itinerary!
Last night, Kevin and I decided on our travel plans. Here's what we have in mind:
Wednesday, December 29th
9:am Depart Surry, Va for Charleston, Wv (6hrs 30min)
3:30pm arrive in Charleston, eat dinner with Mommy and Nick and get gas
6:pm Depart for Louisville, KY (4hrs)
10:pm Arrive in Louisville and stay the night
Thursday, December 30th
9:am Check out of hotel, visit childhood elementary school and house (mine), get gas
10:am Depart for St. Louis, MO (4hrs 30min)
2:30pm Arrive in St. Louis, MO, visit arch, get gas
5:30pm Depart St. Louis for Kansas City (4hrs)
9:30pm Arrive in Kansas City and stay the night
Friday, December 31st
10:am DEpart Kansas City for Denver, CO (9hrs 30 min)
8:pm Arrive in Denver, CO and stay the night at the VQ Hotel (Already booked!) NEW YEAR'S!!!
Saturday, January 1st 2011
11:am Depart Denver for Salt Lake City, UT (8hrs 30 min)
8:pm Arrive in Salt Lake City, see SLC Temple Christmas Lights
9:pm Arrive at the Zwalehns (family friends) and stay the night
Sunday, January 2nd
9:am Go to church with the Zwalehns
1:pm Lunch at the Zwalehns and Sunday sleep-itis
3:pm Visit Temple Square
Monday, January 3rd
9:am Depart Salt Lake City for Rexburg, ID (4hrs)
1:pm Arrive in Rexburg!
It's a total of 35ish hours and lots of miles! We are trying to split it up into shorter trips, which I plan on driving. I'm thinking I'll drive to WV and then he can drive to Louisville. Then, I'll drive from Louisville to St. Louis and to Kansas City. From that point on, depending on the snow and road conditions, Kevin will have to drive the rest of the way... That makes it 15.5 hours for me and 20 hours for him! That's pretty even, right!? We're going to stop at some cool places, like my mom's for free food, and Louisville to visit my childhood home and my old elementary school. After that, we're heading to the St. Louis arch and Kansas City should be kinda cool! Then, for New Year's Eve, we have a hotel room booked in Denver in a city view room so we can watch the fireworks from our room :)! After that, Salt Lake City, and then home! How cool is that!? Any cool attractions in our path? Suggestions for the long drive?
Wednesday, December 29th
9:am Depart Surry, Va for Charleston, Wv (6hrs 30min)
3:30pm arrive in Charleston, eat dinner with Mommy and Nick and get gas
6:pm Depart for Louisville, KY (4hrs)
10:pm Arrive in Louisville and stay the night
Thursday, December 30th
9:am Check out of hotel, visit childhood elementary school and house (mine), get gas
10:am Depart for St. Louis, MO (4hrs 30min)
2:30pm Arrive in St. Louis, MO, visit arch, get gas
5:30pm Depart St. Louis for Kansas City (4hrs)
9:30pm Arrive in Kansas City and stay the night
Friday, December 31st
10:am DEpart Kansas City for Denver, CO (9hrs 30 min)
8:pm Arrive in Denver, CO and stay the night at the VQ Hotel (Already booked!) NEW YEAR'S!!!
Saturday, January 1st 2011
11:am Depart Denver for Salt Lake City, UT (8hrs 30 min)
8:pm Arrive in Salt Lake City, see SLC Temple Christmas Lights
9:pm Arrive at the Zwalehns (family friends) and stay the night
Sunday, January 2nd
9:am Go to church with the Zwalehns
1:pm Lunch at the Zwalehns and Sunday sleep-itis
3:pm Visit Temple Square
Monday, January 3rd
9:am Depart Salt Lake City for Rexburg, ID (4hrs)
1:pm Arrive in Rexburg!
It's a total of 35ish hours and lots of miles! We are trying to split it up into shorter trips, which I plan on driving. I'm thinking I'll drive to WV and then he can drive to Louisville. Then, I'll drive from Louisville to St. Louis and to Kansas City. From that point on, depending on the snow and road conditions, Kevin will have to drive the rest of the way... That makes it 15.5 hours for me and 20 hours for him! That's pretty even, right!? We're going to stop at some cool places, like my mom's for free food, and Louisville to visit my childhood home and my old elementary school. After that, we're heading to the St. Louis arch and Kansas City should be kinda cool! Then, for New Year's Eve, we have a hotel room booked in Denver in a city view room so we can watch the fireworks from our room :)! After that, Salt Lake City, and then home! How cool is that!? Any cool attractions in our path? Suggestions for the long drive?
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Bridal Shower Numero Dos!
Bonjour bloggers! Today was a fantabulous day! Despite sleep deprivation and cold, I had the first really great day I've had since... well, the last bridal shower! I got up at 10am (ugh, since I didn't get home until 430am!) and Regina and I hit the road for Waynesboro to Kevin's Grandma's house for my second bridal shower! I am so spoiled! My best friend Catherine and her mom threw me a bridal shower in November and my family came down from New Jersey and my mom came from WV and we had a blast and got sooo many presents! Actually, our whole bathroom is done from that shower, down to the toothbrusher holder and a fancy shower head! Unfortunately, a lot of his family couldn't make the trip down, so they decided to have another shower for me! Again, we got tons of great presents like a waffle maker, tupperware, cookie sheets, circular kebobs :), recipes, and gift cards! His family is so great! I think I've finally almost met all of his aunts! They are such a wholesome, storybook family :) I am so happy to be becoming a part of that clan! The food was delicious and the company was spectacular! I didn't take any pictures, but my soon-to-be-sister-in-law took tons of pictures, so I'll try to get some from her! All of my thank you cards are already done (not because I didn't have tons to write, but because I was productive!), so now I can relax for the rest of the night!
Relaxing... WAiT! What am I DOiNG!? My wedding is in 18 days, I can't relax! I have to finish centerpieces, buy more decorations, figure out transportation, tally up RSVPs, send out last minute invites....!!! What am I doing relaxing!?
The good news is I get a whole day to revitalize starting in an hour and a half! PHEW! I love Sundays! A whole 24 hours to rest physically and pump up my spirituality! I can't think of a more relaxing kind of day! Tomorrow, I plan to take a nap after church, read my scriptures, hopefully get a temple prep lesson, and spend some time with the Irwins. It's the first Sunday in about a month that Dad Irwin has been off work, so it will be a good day!
Welp, time to chat with lover boy, then bedtime! Nightnight!
P.S. Still looking for advice for keeping my room clean! It's a constant struggle... S.O.S!
OH WAiT! Did I mention yesterday was my last night at work and Kevin sent me Gerbera Daisies so I would be happy and not cry!? Isn't he the bestest!?!?
Relaxing... WAiT! What am I DOiNG!? My wedding is in 18 days, I can't relax! I have to finish centerpieces, buy more decorations, figure out transportation, tally up RSVPs, send out last minute invites....!!! What am I doing relaxing!?
The good news is I get a whole day to revitalize starting in an hour and a half! PHEW! I love Sundays! A whole 24 hours to rest physically and pump up my spirituality! I can't think of a more relaxing kind of day! Tomorrow, I plan to take a nap after church, read my scriptures, hopefully get a temple prep lesson, and spend some time with the Irwins. It's the first Sunday in about a month that Dad Irwin has been off work, so it will be a good day!
Welp, time to chat with lover boy, then bedtime! Nightnight!
P.S. Still looking for advice for keeping my room clean! It's a constant struggle... S.O.S!
OH WAiT! Did I mention yesterday was my last night at work and Kevin sent me Gerbera Daisies so I would be happy and not cry!? Isn't he the bestest!?!?
Thursday, December 2, 2010
CU Accomplishments thus far
Personal Development: 2, 9, 10, 15, 8, 5, 13, 18, 3, 11, 20, and 12
Homemaking: 3, 19, 7, 9, 1, 16, 18, 4, 14, 6, and 14
Spirituality: 1, 4, 5, 19, 20, 24, 3,15, 2, 9, 16, 2, and 21
Family Relations: 17, 13, 19, 14, 12, and 18
Physical Health & Preparedness: 23, 6, 9, and 13
I've earned my Associate's! Unfortunately, I did it by doing all the easy ones first ;).. It gets harder now!
Homemaking: 3, 19, 7, 9, 1, 16, 18, 4, 14, 6, and 14
Spirituality: 1, 4, 5, 19, 20, 24, 3,15, 2, 9, 16, 2, and 21
Family Relations: 17, 13, 19, 14, 12, and 18
Physical Health & Preparedness: 23, 6, 9, and 13
I've earned my Associate's! Unfortunately, I did it by doing all the easy ones first ;).. It gets harder now!
Celestial University overview
In Relief Society this year, we started a program called Celestial University. I'm not exactly sure where our presidency found it, or how widespread it is, but I wanted to share it with all :)! I plan on retyping the whole thing so you guys can steal any of it that you like! I also plan on keeping you guys posted on my experiences with it and what I have accomplished! This could take a while, but you're worth it ;)
Welcome to the Celestial University. How often do we wonder where the last year went and feel like we haven't progressed over the months? The purpose of this program is to offer each sister motivation, opportunity, direction, and support to aid her in reaching her divine potential destiny as a daughter of our Heavenly Father. The goal is to help each of us be better, more fulfilled women next year than we are this year. Any sister who actively participates in this program will be able to look back at the previous 12 months and know that she has accomplished many items that have temporal and eternal worth.
The program is simple. Look at the goals and plan how to accomplish them. When you have completed a goal, have a friend, family member, etc. put their initial by the number. You cannot count two goals accomplished from the same effort.
Degrees offered:
Associate degree- You must complete 4 goals in each area
Bachelor degree- You must complete 7 goals in each area
Masters degree- You must complete 10 goals in each area
Doctorate- You must complete 14 goals in each area
The sister who completes the most goals will get special recognition as the Celestial University Valedictorian and the sister who completes the 2nd highest total will be the Celestial University Salutatorian.
We hope that each sister in the branch will participate. It will be fun and rewarding. Good luck to each of you as you embark on this adventure of growth and development.
I truly hope all of you love this and apply it in your lives! CU has truly helped me gain skills, knowledge, and has increased my awareness of my individual worth :)
Welcome to the Celestial University. How often do we wonder where the last year went and feel like we haven't progressed over the months? The purpose of this program is to offer each sister motivation, opportunity, direction, and support to aid her in reaching her divine potential destiny as a daughter of our Heavenly Father. The goal is to help each of us be better, more fulfilled women next year than we are this year. Any sister who actively participates in this program will be able to look back at the previous 12 months and know that she has accomplished many items that have temporal and eternal worth.
The program is simple. Look at the goals and plan how to accomplish them. When you have completed a goal, have a friend, family member, etc. put their initial by the number. You cannot count two goals accomplished from the same effort.
Degrees offered:
Associate degree- You must complete 4 goals in each area
Bachelor degree- You must complete 7 goals in each area
Masters degree- You must complete 10 goals in each area
Doctorate- You must complete 14 goals in each area
The sister who completes the most goals will get special recognition as the Celestial University Valedictorian and the sister who completes the 2nd highest total will be the Celestial University Salutatorian.
We hope that each sister in the branch will participate. It will be fun and rewarding. Good luck to each of you as you embark on this adventure of growth and development.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
1. Read a book about a famous person in American History.
2. Visit a museum.
3. Visit an art exhibit.
4. Attend a live concert, play, etc.
5. Sing in the branch choir for 3 consecutive months.
6. Attend 12 Enrichment Meetings or Enrichment Activities.
7. Read a classic American novel or a Newberry Award winner.
8. Visit an historic site.
9. Learn a new skill or become more proficient in a current skill.
10. Make a list of 20 positive things about yourself.
11. Learn to do something new on the computer.
12. Spend at least 6 hours doing community service.
13. Feed the missionaries at least 4 times during the next 12 months.
14. Attend 4 or more branch activities.
16. Attend a city council meeting.
17. Buy 5 cans or packages of food for your food storage. Do this each week for 6 consecutive weeks.
18. Obtain “Preach My Gospel” and read it from cover to cover.
19. Visit 3 sisters, who are not on your visiting teaching list, each month for 4 consecutive months. Each of the 12 sisters needs to be a different sister.
20. Choose a personal development goal that you feel that you need in your life.
HOMEMAKING
1. Use 6 new recipes.
2. Make 6 homemade cards.
3. Clean out at least 2 closets.
4. Make a holiday craft.
5. Plant a flowerbed.
6. Learn the basics of sewing. If you already know how to sew, teach someone else.
7. Complete a homemaking goal that you have been putting off.
8. Look for ways to cut your food budget by shopping sales, having meatless dishes, no junk food, etc. Use the money you saved to buy food for you years supply. Do this 4 consecutive weeks.
9. Deep clean one room, including the closet.
10. Read a book on organizing your home.
11. Spend 3 hours reading www.organizedhome.com . take notes and use at least 2 ideas that you find on that site.
12. Have a garage sale and use the money for improving a room in your home.
13. Learn the basics of cake decorating.
14. Make on meal a week using your food storage. Do this for 6 weeks.
15. Learn the basics of flower arranging. Make an arrangement for your home. If you already know how, volunteer to teach a class.
16. Make something to display in your home.
17. Clean all windows (both sides) in your home.
18. Make a lap quilt to donate to someone needy.
19. Take an inventory of your wardrobe, discarding unnecessary or out of style items.
20. Spend at least 2 hours at www.flylady.net reading and taking notes about how to become more organized in the home. Put at least 2 things that you learn into your life.
SPIRITUALITY
1. Read 2 issues of the Ensign from cover to cover.
2. Pray morning and night for 21 consecutive days.
3. Chose a spiritual goal that you have been putting off.
4. Bear your testimony at Relief Society or Sacrament Meeting.
5. Pick a hymn and study the text and related scriptures.
6. One day a week have a prayer that totally consists of you expressing gratitude for your blessings. Do this once a week for 6 consecutive weeks.
7. Have a gratitude journal. Each day record at least 3 thins for which you are grateful. Do this for 30 consecutive days.
8. Look for opportunities to serve. Each week do at least one act of service. Do this for 6 consecutive weeks. Each act of service has to be for a different person.
9. Read one book by a General Authority.
10. Sign up to do indexing. Do at least 2 hours a week for 4 consecutive weeks.
11. Get 100% visiting teaching each month for 6 consecutive months.
12. Do a random act of kindness each day for 30 days.
13. Contact a sister who was not at church and tell her that she was missed. Share something from the meetings with her. Do 8 weeks.
14. Pray to see who needs you. Then contact her in person, by telephone, e-mail, etc. to let her know that you were thinking about her. Do this 30 consecutive days.
15. Read the Book of Mormon. After each chapter, write you thoughts and feelings in your journal about what you read.
16. Attend the temple 3 times during the next 12 months.
17. Come prepared for Sunday School by reading and studying the lesson for that Sunday. Do 8 weeks.
18. Come prepared for Relief Society by reading and studying the lesson for that Sunday.. Do 8 weeks.
19. Attend Sacrament Meeting 6 consecutive weeks.
20. Read the scriptures 15 minutes a day for 30 consecutive days.
21. Read “The Lord’s Day” by James E. Faust in the November 1991 Ensign and the First Presidency Message “The Sabbath – A Delight” in the January 1978 Ensign. Prayerfully decide one thing that you can do to make the Sabbath more meaningful in your life.
22. Write in you journal each day for 30 consecutive days.
23. Have a church journal. Record quotes, scriptures, etc from your meetings. Take notes at 12 church meetings.
24. Read Doctrine and Covenants 89. Prayerfully decide on one thing that you can do to more fully live this law and put it into your life.
FAMILY RELATIONS
1. Complete a goal in this area that you have been putting off.
2. Complete 6 scrapbook pages about you family or individual members of your family.
3. Complete 4 scrapbook pages showing your love and appreciation for your family members.
4. Have Family Home Evening once a week for 6 consecutive weeks.
5. Have each of your family members write their autobiography. Put them together and make copies for each member.
6. Start a memory book with stories, pictures, family traditions, etc. Compile stories of ancestors to add to your book. Record your memories of your relatives and invite others to also do so. Add to it during the year and encourage family members to participate.
7. Compile family recipes from various relatives. This can be in a book, on the computer, etc. you can add pictures of the relative and pictures of the food item.
8. Plan a family activity to clean the church building. Let the children help as appropriate.
9. As a family do some kind of service for someone.
10. Make a family newsletter and send it out for the holidays.
11. Prepare a family garden that the whole family works in.
12. Write a letter of appreciation to your spouse and other members of your family.
13. Forgive a family member for a hurt that they have caused. Be prayerful as you learn to let go of the hurt and bitterness that you feel.
14. Spend at least 4 hours researching your ancestors at the Family History Center.
15. Start a new tradition in your home.
16. Learn about the areas of the country or world where your ancestors lived.
17. Attend a family reunion.
18. Have a Family Home Evening centered on emergency preparedness. Make a family emergency plan.
19. Submit at least one family name for temple work.
20. Invite a family into you home for Family Home Evening.
PHYSICAL HEALTH AND PREPAREDNESS
1. Exercise for 30 minutes a day at least 3 times a week or exercise 15 minutes 5 times a week. Do 4 consecutive weeks.
2. Go to the doctor for your yearly exam.
3. Don’t eat anything containing refined flour or sugar for 21 consecutive days.
4. Complete a physical preparedness goal that you have been putting off doing.
5. If you have a 72-hour kit, check it to make sure that it is up to date. If you don’t have one, put one together.
6. If you have smoke detectors in your home, check to make sure they work. If you don’t have them, buy some.
7. Spend 3 hours reading the article at www.providentliving.org . take notes and choose 3 thins to implement into your life.
8. Keep a food journal for 7 consecutive days. Record everything that you eat and drink. Study the results and determine at least 2 ways you can change your eating habits to make you more healthy. For the next 4 weeks keep a food journal and implement the 2 eating changes.
9. Take the “Peace in your Hearts” online course at www.providentliving.org . put 2 thins that you learn into your daily life.
10. Spend 3 hours reading and taking notes at www.ready.gov . Put into practice 3 thins that you read.
11. Plant and care for a vegetable garden. Planting and ignoring don’t count. Talk with people who are successful gardeners and find out ways to best care for your garden.
12. Make the changes necessary to transform 3 of your recipes into healthier versions. Make these healthier meals for your family
13. Create a family emergency plan
14. Make copies of your important papers and put the copies into your 72-hour kit.
15. Spend 3 hours reading and taking notes at www.sparkpeople.com . Make a list of at least 3 thins that you can do to help you become healthier and lose weight.
16. Take a CERT course.
17. Personally repair something in or around your home.
18. Plant 2 fruit trees in your yard.
19. Weigh and measure yourself. Plan a healthy diet plan and put it into practice. Each week record your weight and measurements. Do this for 6 consecutive weeks. Find a buddy to whom you will report.
20. Take a first aid class.
21. Take a class on how to protect yourself from identity theft.
22. Add something to your food storage each week for 6 consecutive weeks.
23. Plan a realistic budget and put it on paper. Stick to it for 5 consecutive weeks.
I truly hope all of you love this and apply it in your lives! CU has truly helped me gain skills, knowledge, and has increased my awareness of my individual worth :)
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