Here's hoping for a stress-free week.

Sunday night I look at my upcoming week and am amazed at how clear it is.

I'm traveling for work Tuesday, which should be really good.

Wednesday is an eye doctor appointment.

And that's it.

Amazing.

I know it probably won't stay this way. I mean, with all these free evenings, it provides for many opportunities to do wedding stuff, which I do need to do.

But to see such openness, such availability... it makes me giddy. I think I shall end tomorrow with a movie I borrowed from my housemate. I saw it once in theatres and remember nothing about it. So, that should be fun! I'm tempted to watch it tonight, but know I should go to bed instead.

Goodnight!

Birthday hangovers are great. All the good things from yesterday just flow into today.

This morning I got to sleep in, then dance and sing along with U93's 90's show while getting ready.

I'm wearing my new birthday jeans, enjoying some Michael Buble, and smiling.

I'll soon be heading out to brunch with my future mother-in-law.

It's a good day. Another good day. Thank you, God.

I saw this sandwich description that someone on facebook had made for lunch. It sounds so yummy I want to make it myself at some point. I know I'll forget about it, so this is a reminder to myself:

• brie
• turkey
• cranberry
• honey mustard
• toasted bread

I could probably throw some romaine on there too.

Hungry?

A year ago I was all distraught about saying goodbye to my last day in my 20's. I had big plans for a big celebration.

This year I'm fine going to bed early. Tomorrow will be low-key. A nice dinner out with my sweetie. I'm looking forward to it.

I've got plenty of other things on my mind. Such as planning a wedding.

I've also been reminiscing about last year's Memorial Weekend away. Reading this post reminded me how absolutely positively delightful the weekend was.


Gotta make new plans for Memorial Weekend this year. Where shall we go? What shall we do?

2011's Memorial Weekend, Josh & I will be married. In fact the wedding is only 129 days away! I look forward to sharing many more holidays as husband and wife. I love you, sweetie!

• I'm wearing my favorite long comfy sweater that's practically a robe.
• I'm also wearing blue jeans!
  
• I get to see old roomie Alicia for lunch today.
• I'm getting things done.
• I get to see Josh tonight!
• Dinner at John & Heather's tonight!
• Good news about a work event in May that equals less money we have to spend, YES!
• Good music that I get to listen to today.
• Encouraging friends
• Tomorrow's my birthday, and I get lunch with Mom at one of my favorite special occasion restaurants!
• Upcoming brunch with Janice
• Making plans for the wedding weekend!
• The heater under my desk keeping me warm. :)
• Knowing "this too shall pass."
  

This morning started getting stressful. Really stressful. Overwhelming. It took a break right about the same time I took a break (imagine that!), and then the afternoon was stressful as well. I was realizing all that needs to be done, and things were being added to my calendar like crazy.

I had to run errands after work. While on the way to my first stop, my honey called me. Funny, I was just thinking about calling him. He told me the good news that he was on his way to run an errand in the town between us (we live about 30 minutes apart) so he asked if I wanted to meet up with him and go out for dinner. Of course!

It was such a nice change, going from stressed to happy. Anxious to hopeful. Upset to peaceful.

We ended up doing Thai - yum! And then running errands together - Meijer, David's Bridal, and a quick stop for Hot Donuts Now.

Over dinner we got to talk about all the craziness of our calendars, and just talking about it with Josh helped me calm down. We got to be our cute usual selves together, laughing and being silly. Being stress free. He helps keep me sane. He helps me refocus and recharge and remember that God has got our backs, and He's got it all under control.

See why I'm marrying this man? Thank you, God, for blessing me with Josh!

Is there anything good on TV anymore? For the first time in MANY years, I'm not watching ANY TV on a regular basis.

I think my regular TV viewing probably started with ABC's TGIF. Those Friday night shows changed over the years, and I kept watching. Oh, and I can't forget Growing Pains, Who's the Boss, & Family Ties! I guess those came before TGIF.

Gradually I moved up and moved on to Beverly Hills 90210 & Party of Five, followed by Dawson's Creek & Felicity.

Then Thursday night's Must See TV on NBC came along. Another set of shows that have changed over the years I've watched, most recently tuning into The Office weekly. Oh, and don't forget all the seasons of 24.

This year however, I've lost interest in The Office and don't feel any compulsion to tune in to 24.

Don't get me wrong: It's not like I don't watch ANY TV. I only wish that was the case; I'm just not that cool. When I'm home for lunch, I frequently watch some Family Feud and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. Sometimes I'll tune into reruns of King of Queens and Friends after work. If I happen to be home on a Monday I'll watch How I Met Your Mother. If I'm home on a Wednesday, I'll gleefully tune in to ABC's new show The Middle. Josh's aunt introduced us to that over Christmas Break, and I get such a kick out of it.

Heck, even now, I'm watching an episode of CSI Miami just for something to stimulate brain activity.

But there's nothing I must catch every week. And I LOVE it that way!

Any show you don't miss?

We were able to take advantage of a nice Valentine's Weekend special at Jared, the place that never has specials or sales! And we now have beautiful wedding bands! Both of us are so eager to wear them! After they were sized down, we got to pick them up with out-of-town friends who were gathered for dinner together; it made the event even more memorable. Thanks for joining us, friends!

I was up late last night, and I'm having a hard time functioning today. I wanted to eat a banana for breakfast, but I couldn't open it. Grrr!

Yesterday was Fat Tuesday, and the big local thing is to get paczkis (pronounced "pooch-key"), basically a glorified jelly filled donut - except for the Strawberries & Cream version; that is much better and totally worth it. I have only tried a paczki once - 1 or 2 years ago when some magically appeared in our office. I'm kinda regretting not getting one yesterday. Oh well, there's always next year!

So, that was yesterday. Then there's today. The beginning of Lent. The practice of giving something up for Lent has never been a part of my religious traditions, but the last couple years I keep thinking more and more about it. I'm certain there are plenty of things I should be giving up anyways! Are any of you giving something up for Lent?

Today I had the best father! Because he went out in the snow storm and brought me lunch!

Today I had the best fiance! Because he called me midday, just to say hi!

Today I had the best sister-in-law! Because she came over tonight just to hang and chat!

Thank you, God, for blessing me!

Apathetic?!? REALLY???

Yah, for the first time that I am aware of, a reader checked their response to one of my blog postings as "apathetic."

The lamest part is that it wasn't on one of my pointless posts of "I'm sleepy; I need coffee." or a post giving my readers the latest updates in my life. Nope. It was in response to a post where I reminisced how one year ago I had this incredible opportunity to show God's love to a stranger, and I took it.

God offered ME a part in HIS play, and I did it. God gives us all a choice - to be a part of His story or a part of our own story apart from Him. It's a shame if your response to that calling is one of apathy.

Well, I feel like it's been awhile since I've posted. What's going on lately? . . .

• So looking forward to seeing Kate in town from Florida!
• We passed our interview with the Pastor of Church A so we can now start the process to plan the ceremony.
• We keep going around and around on a bridesmaid dress.
• I'm having fun planning food, music, special touches, etc.
• We opened up two registries. Plan to do two more.
• I'm hoping to go to bed early; I'm exhausted.
• We are looking at a rental property as a possible place to live together once we get married but still waiting for specifics.
• I'm looking forward to watching the Colts in the Super Bowl!
• Planning a wedding is a lot of work.
• Went to the local civic theatre for a show last week - fun!
• Got an important meeting tomorrow. Moving on up in the world.
• Going out with my girls this weekend.
• Taking a stationery DIY class.
  

Busy, busy, busy...

Periodically I like to look back on my blog to see what I was doing a year before. This post from a year ago is one of favorites. It's good to go back and remember. Such an amazing experience to be a part of God's work!!