71

Tomorrow is May.  I'm not sure how it's happened so quickly.  This year is flying past in a blur.  Wasn't it just New Years'?  I've only just gotten used to calling Brad my fiance, and in just 71 days he will be my husband. The day after we will be off on a trip to Mexico (I think I'm more excited about that than the wedding itself. I haven't had a real vacation in years). 

In 3 weeks, I will turn 27.  I can't believe it's been 10 years since I was 17. From the time I was 8, watching Saved by the Bell on TV, 17 was my ideal age.  While I'm aware that I'm no longer 17 (and my brain does not work the same way, thankfully), I don't feel any older than that....except for when I go into a bar.
It also feels weird when I say, "When I was in college."  Especially since it's been 5 years since college graduation, but I could swear I was just there, in my hooded school sweatshirt carrying around my army green messenger bag and designing the layout of the student newspaper.

Lilacs

Since I can remember, I've loved lilacs.  LOVE, not like. So you can imagine my excitement when one of the trees in my front yard began to bud this spring only to reveal those delicious smelling purple flowers.(And I'm sure you can also imagine my anger when Brad made a comment about taking the lilac bush out... He crazy!)

They've only begun to bloom within the last few days.  Yesterday evening, after I'd trudge up the hill from scary downtown Tacoma (another story for another time), I walked into my front yard to be met by pretty little purple flowers and their lovely signature scent.

Of course I had to clip some to take inside.  I love having fresh flowers indoors.

If only I could figure out a way to transport them to work without smooshing, so I could have some for my desk.

Re-do

I've been bad about blogging.

Mainly because I'm not happy with what I'm producing here.  It's not what I had in mind for myself when I decided to start blogging.

I have decided to research the subject.  Did you know there's actual guidelines for bloggers? I didn't.  But apparently, there's standard for doing it "correctly."  So I'm going to do some reading, and some studying.  And with any luck, turn this space into something I'm proud of. 

Trial and error, mostly. We'll get there, don't worry.

In the meantime...  I'm trying to get Brad to go this route with the groomsmen attire. 

 The guys are SO much harder to dress than the girls!

photo credit: www.weddingchicks.com

kitty

This is Kitty.  (Yes, that is her name. She answers to it.)

She is 10 years old this year.  She joined our family when I was a Junior in High School (I think).  Kitty is not her given name. When she was a kitten, we tried to think of creative names for her.  Because she's cute and deserves a cute name. My dad came up with Flatchy...short for flatulence. She had a bit of a gas problem, which she has since grown out of.  Somehow, that became her official name.  But my sister's and I always called her Kitty, because Flatchy is gross. 

When I bought my house last fall, my mom asked if I'd like to have Kitty as my new roommate.  Since I was planning to adopt a cat from the shelter anyway, I said sure, and Kitty moved in the next day. 

She likes...
staring out of the window
trying to call to the birds by clicking at them (she does it to flies too)
sitting in my lap
watching tv
and sucking on earlobes

She dislikes...

Men

fleas

and crunchy food

She's very good at Jeopardy, sneak-attacking on her jingle ball toy, and finding sunny window spots on the carpet to nap on.

I [always] win

Brad has this thing he likes to say.  When he's feeling proud of himself.  He announces that he "always wins" to anyone within earshot.

A few weeks ago, I found this amazing website,  the bright side project (BSP). Everyday there's a new giveaway. In mid-March, the BSP featured a seller on Etsy, Madison Reece Designs. The shop features beautiful custom silver jewelry, and for the BSP giveaway they were offering a $50 giftcard to the shop. 

Well.... I won! :)

She designed a beautiful custom necklace for me.  I just got it in the mail last night, so today is my first day wearing it.  I love it!!

Hoppy Easter!

Happy Easter!

It's been a very busy day around here.

Brad and I got ready early this morning and caught the first service at Church.

After that, it was our first time ever hosting a family Holiday get-together.  I made us a pretty Easter dining table, and Brad grilled salmon.  Everyone in attendance brought a side dish or dessert.  We had 16 people in attendance. 4 more than I'd anticipated.  And minus a mini-breakdown before the guests arrived and a shortage of forks, things went off without a hitch.

Yesterday, Brad and I spent the day preparing.  Cleaning the house and getting the dining room trim in place.  

Tonight, we're both exhausted.  But happy.  And everyone loved our Easter dinner. 

P.S.  Happy Birthday to my baby sister.  Who turns the big 1-9 today!

I'll make this quick 'cause I'm being rushed to start cleaning.

I have several new photos for you today, and then I need to get back to cleaning in preparation of Easter tomorrow.  I have 12 people coming over for lunch.

THURSDAY:

It was VERY stormy on Thursday.

FRIDAY:

  This one got rave reviews on Facebook.

The Awesomest

While reading one of the 5 dozen (or so) blogs in my Google Reader this morning, I came across a post that introduced the most amazing website I have probably ever heard of.  It is genius (which I am not because I had to look-up how to spell the word, "genius"...oy). 

BookSwim is a website like Netflix, but for readers!  I just recently cancelled my Netflix membership, because I would order movies and then never watch them.  I'm just not much of a "watch movies at home"  kind of person.  But Books.  Books I can do.  I'm always looking for new books.

Anytime I want to get out of the office during work, I go to the bookstore.  And I usually spend money; which is bad. I can't just buy one book at a time.  I buy at least 2. Oftentimes upwards of 3.

BookSwim works the same way that Netflix does.  You can sign up to have a certain number of books at a time, (3 or more you get free shipping).  You have as long as you want to read them, and then send them back.  The best part; if you like a book, you have the option on the website to purchase it at a Discounted price!  You just keep it!!

There are lots of books I've been interested in reading.  And some are books I wouldn't buy because I'm embarrassed, honestly...(Lauren Conrad's novels?  yep.).

Brad and I were just talking the other day about how we'd like to spend lots of time at the beach this summer. The beach is only my absolute favorite place on earth. And I told him I'd start keeping an eye out for the good summer reads.  With BookSwim  I'll save TONS of money!  I'm signing up right now!

It'll also be good for my train commute.  I won't have to waste a ton of cash on books I buy based on what their covers look like.  Because I do judge a book by its cover.  I just do.



Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com 

One Hundred

Today marks the beginning of the 100 day countdown.

The big plans are made, and the detail planning is underway. The bridesmaids have a little more direction on dresses.  I have all of my accessories and today I ordered my shoes! Hair and makeup artist is scheduled. Cake is in design process. Honeymoon is booked! And we're counting down 100 DAYS!

The time is flying.  Our six month engagement is half over!!

Brad's kept up with the working out 5 times a week, and he's looking very good.  I, on the other hand, have been a slacker.  I've hurt myself a few times, and have had to take several breaks from exercise to let my puny muscles heal. But I'm running out of time!  Come Monday, I am back on the p90x program.  I'll have just enough time to get through 90 days and still have the last week before the wedding to relax.

Since we're going to Mexico for the honeymoon I've got to make sure my beach body is in perfect summer condition!

Day 5

I have a confession to make...  this picture was not taken yesterday.  It was taken Tuesday afternoon on my train ride home.  Yesterday was an abnormal day for me.  I didn't ride the train, and I stayed in Seattle after work.  So I didn't find myself with as many photo-taking opportunities.   But I'm not giving up!   Especially since today is the FIRST of April!  Can you believe how fast this year is going by!?