I'm behind on blogs. Behind on reading lots of them. Behind on writing lots as well.
My sweetie has actually been the better blogger lately, which is pretty impressive. I love reading his blogs, so of course he gets a shout-out.
He and I were just talking earlier (was it today? Wow, it's been a long day!) about blogs. We are looking forward to having a joint blog once we get married. We already have the name picked up, but it isn't being revealed quite yet. What we're trying to figure out is if we will continue with our individual blogs.
I miss my nose ring. Yes, I had a nose ring, and yes, I took it out a few weeks ago. I had promised Josh before I even got it that I would remove it for a wedding (and I didn't mean a wedding we would be attending). Ideally, I wanted to remove it for the ceremony and put it back in for the reception and indefinitely into the future. However, it has not been a good, healthy piercing. This really did not surprise me, and I've only rarely had a good, healthy piercing. I knew that when I removed it, the nose got all red and puffy, and that is NOT how I want to look during my wedding. So, I made the sad decision to take it out.
I had grand plans of posting about all sorts of things since it's been so long since I've blogged. However, it's late, and I need to get up early enough to head to Elkhart before church tomorrow.
My sweetie has actually been the better blogger lately, which is pretty impressive. I love reading his blogs, so of course he gets a shout-out.
He and I were just talking earlier (was it today? Wow, it's been a long day!) about blogs. We are looking forward to having a joint blog once we get married. We already have the name picked up, but it isn't being revealed quite yet. What we're trying to figure out is if we will continue with our individual blogs.
* * * * *
I miss my nose ring. Yes, I had a nose ring, and yes, I took it out a few weeks ago. I had promised Josh before I even got it that I would remove it for a wedding (and I didn't mean a wedding we would be attending). Ideally, I wanted to remove it for the ceremony and put it back in for the reception and indefinitely into the future. However, it has not been a good, healthy piercing. This really did not surprise me, and I've only rarely had a good, healthy piercing. I knew that when I removed it, the nose got all red and puffy, and that is NOT how I want to look during my wedding. So, I made the sad decision to take it out.
* * * * *
I had grand plans of posting about all sorts of things since it's been so long since I've blogged. However, it's late, and I need to get up early enough to head to Elkhart before church tomorrow.
What's goin' on?
1. Voting: my college classmate Troy is competing to win a trip to the Tony's. Great voice, great talent. Very easy to vote, and you can do so repeatedly here. Voting ends Tuesday, June 1 at 3:00 Eastern time.
2. Nervous tummy: Since high school I have had a lot of stomach problems, especially while under stress. Needless to say, I'm under a lot of stress currently. But in 5 weeks, I will be on our honeymoon and will hopefully be feeling better then!
3. Researching music: We have yet to come up with a first dance song. This just adds to my #2 above.
4. Enjoying a long weekend: Holy cow, this Memorial Day weekend has been awesome.
5. Accomplishing much, but still so much more to accomplish. It feels never-ending, but it will be much better after the wedding. Isn't it funny how the wedding seems like the end, but really, it's just the start of the marriage? So bizarre.
6. Receiving rsvp cards. I LOVE getting these in the mail, but I'm always sad when people decline.
7. Rearranging the attic, making room for Josh's stuff, etc.
8. Dress fittings: I think I have done 3 so far. The 4th is tomorrow. Fingers crossed.
9. Hair & makeup: I did a trial run-through and had a great experience with the salonist.
10. Coughing and having a raspy voice: Apparently I'm allergic to cottonwood. You see it floating around all the time lately. It's giving me a runny nose, itchy eyes, a sore throat, a bad cough, and a weak voice. My mom is going through the same thing.
1. Voting: my college classmate Troy is competing to win a trip to the Tony's. Great voice, great talent. Very easy to vote, and you can do so repeatedly here. Voting ends Tuesday, June 1 at 3:00 Eastern time.
2. Nervous tummy: Since high school I have had a lot of stomach problems, especially while under stress. Needless to say, I'm under a lot of stress currently. But in 5 weeks, I will be on our honeymoon and will hopefully be feeling better then!
3. Researching music: We have yet to come up with a first dance song. This just adds to my #2 above.
4. Enjoying a long weekend: Holy cow, this Memorial Day weekend has been awesome.
5. Accomplishing much, but still so much more to accomplish. It feels never-ending, but it will be much better after the wedding. Isn't it funny how the wedding seems like the end, but really, it's just the start of the marriage? So bizarre.
6. Receiving rsvp cards. I LOVE getting these in the mail, but I'm always sad when people decline.
7. Rearranging the attic, making room for Josh's stuff, etc.
8. Dress fittings: I think I have done 3 so far. The 4th is tomorrow. Fingers crossed.
9. Hair & makeup: I did a trial run-through and had a great experience with the salonist.
10. Coughing and having a raspy voice: Apparently I'm allergic to cottonwood. You see it floating around all the time lately. It's giving me a runny nose, itchy eyes, a sore throat, a bad cough, and a weak voice. My mom is going through the same thing.
A day with no plans actually makes me freak out. I can't not do anything. Not when so much needs to get done. I can't relax. I can relax in a little over 6 weeks. And I will. We have reservations all set for our honeymoon. We are staying at really nice places; I'm so excited!!
It was nice to sleep in this morning and nice to just kinda laze around in pj's for awhile. I caught up on The Office; although, it seems like maybe I missed an episode somewhere in there. Who was that IT guy? Where did he come from??
I made blueberry coffee, which I was THRILLED to discover recently at my fave coffee bean store in farmer's market. I sorted through stuff, looking for gift certificates that I purchased a few weeks ago and promptly lost. Grrr, restaurants love gift certificates because of people like me. Boo! And I took care of emails that needed to be sent and phone calls that needed to be made.
I need to work on thank you cards. Oh, I'd better not get started on my list of what I need to do. What's the point of just repeating what needs to get done when instead I could be work
ing on actually doing what needs to get done? Which reminds me, I need to find a birthday gift for my dad.
Well, I'm about to head to Old Navy to see what remains from their $1 flip flop sale, if anything. I heart flip flops. Hoping for a brown pair. And then I meet up with Josh - yea!
I close with this: last night I dreamt I was watching a Notre Dame football game with a large crowd but was distracted by sweets. There was a massive spread of desserts (think 10 big church potlucks worth), and I bypassed everything for wedding cake. I'm so looking forward to cake!
It was nice to sleep in this morning and nice to just kinda laze around in pj's for awhile. I caught up on The Office; although, it seems like maybe I missed an episode somewhere in there. Who was that IT guy? Where did he come from??
I made blueberry coffee, which I was THRILLED to discover recently at my fave coffee bean store in farmer's market. I sorted through stuff, looking for gift certificates that I purchased a few weeks ago and promptly lost. Grrr, restaurants love gift certificates because of people like me. Boo! And I took care of emails that needed to be sent and phone calls that needed to be made.
I need to work on thank you cards. Oh, I'd better not get started on my list of what I need to do. What's the point of just repeating what needs to get done when instead I could be work
ing on actually doing what needs to get done? Which reminds me, I need to find a birthday gift for my dad.Well, I'm about to head to Old Navy to see what remains from their $1 flip flop sale, if anything. I heart flip flops. Hoping for a brown pair. And then I meet up with Josh - yea!
I close with this: last night I dreamt I was watching a Notre Dame football game with a large crowd but was distracted by sweets. There was a massive spread of desserts (think 10 big church potlucks worth), and I bypassed everything for wedding cake. I'm so looking forward to cake!
Today was a not so great day. It included a trip to the BMV, which automatically takes it out of contention for a great day.
But I just kept plugging away, working hard. Then I realized I needed to go home quickly to change clothes for the baseball game.
Our church sponsors a southeast little league team, and tonight was our night. I'm not gonna lie; heading over I was not thrilled due to the rain and cold temps. But I bundled up in layers and took my best baseball bleachers blanket. Got to visit with some girls from my Growth Group and enjoy the game AND an awesome hot dog-the little joys in life.
I left after about 1 1/2 hours and then headed to my parents' to spend some time with them. Mom is going out of town for a few days so I wanted to say goodbye to her. Dad was nice enough to transfer the license plates so I can drive Bo legally. Yes, my new car is a boy, and his name is Bo. So far we are getting along great!
I decided to take Bo over to Elkhart to meet Coby (Josh's car) as I surprised Josh. Yah, sometimes I just can't stay away from him. :)
So, we watched some tv, researched honeymoon accommodations online, snuggled, and had our daily devotional time of reading a Psalm and praying together. (Caren, we have added your house sale to our prayers. We've already been praying for you and Chad in other ways. Keep us posted.)
I am getting really excited about the honeymoon. We just got information about a special package deal that we can take advantage of - similar to when we went to Bloomington for a weekend getaway!
On the way home, I filled Bo up with gas for the first time. Everything with Bo is exciting, and I'm so reminded not to take things for granted. This is a lesson God has been reminding me of a lot lately. Most recently - to not take our jobs for granted. We are blessed in so many ways. I don't say so to brag, but to give glory to God.
I am reminded of a song that says, "I have been blessed; now I'm gonna be a blessing." I want to be open to allowing God to use me to bless others. Any thoughts or ideas on how I/you/we can be a blessing to others?
But I just kept plugging away, working hard. Then I realized I needed to go home quickly to change clothes for the baseball game.
Our church sponsors a southeast little league team, and tonight was our night. I'm not gonna lie; heading over I was not thrilled due to the rain and cold temps. But I bundled up in layers and took my best baseball bleachers blanket. Got to visit with some girls from my Growth Group and enjoy the game AND an awesome hot dog-the little joys in life.
I left after about 1 1/2 hours and then headed to my parents' to spend some time with them. Mom is going out of town for a few days so I wanted to say goodbye to her. Dad was nice enough to transfer the license plates so I can drive Bo legally. Yes, my new car is a boy, and his name is Bo. So far we are getting along great!
I decided to take Bo over to Elkhart to meet Coby (Josh's car) as I surprised Josh. Yah, sometimes I just can't stay away from him. :)
So, we watched some tv, researched honeymoon accommodations online, snuggled, and had our daily devotional time of reading a Psalm and praying together. (Caren, we have added your house sale to our prayers. We've already been praying for you and Chad in other ways. Keep us posted.)
I am getting really excited about the honeymoon. We just got information about a special package deal that we can take advantage of - similar to when we went to Bloomington for a weekend getaway!
On the way home, I filled Bo up with gas for the first time. Everything with Bo is exciting, and I'm so reminded not to take things for granted. This is a lesson God has been reminding me of a lot lately. Most recently - to not take our jobs for granted. We are blessed in so many ways. I don't say so to brag, but to give glory to God.
I am reminded of a song that says, "I have been blessed; now I'm gonna be a blessing." I want to be open to allowing God to use me to bless others. Any thoughts or ideas on how I/you/we can be a blessing to others?
I was just thinking this evening, "Wow, I can't believe it's been almost a month since my car accident. Almost a month without a car. Almost a month that I've been inconveniencing my parents and using their car. And there's no end in sight."
All along, Josh & I have been praying specifically that God would make it very clear to us what car we should get. There had been a few potentials along the way but never ones that were very clear to us that we should get.
So, we've kept searching. And we've kept praying about it every day.
My mom is driving out of town next week, and Dad will need transportation while she's away. I knew I had til Wednesday. Since I am ridiculously busy, that meant I had part of Friday evening and part of Saturday to find a car, have it looked it, bargain the price down, and purchase it. Hello, pressure.
I'm not gonna lie; a couple of the last few days have been really discouraging. Now add in the pressure of the time constraint, and we're up for real fun!
Tonight I shut my phone off during Josh's concert (they, by the way, did a fAbuLoUs job!!), and it was off for a couple few hours. When I turned it back on there was a voicemail. It was from Shellie, my Pampered Chef consultant who is organizing our Pampered Chef shower, so naturally I assumed the call was regarding the shower.
Wrong!
"Hi, Jennifer. This is Shellie. I was calling to let you know I have a car for you. For free."
A friend of theirs from church is giving me his car. I've been told it's rusty and needs new tires eventually. I believe it's bigger than I wanted. But suddenly I just don't care anymore. I don't care if it has crank windows, a cassette player, and a silly sounding horn. It's free! I feel so lavished upon.
After getting the voicemail, I was so sunned I was speechless. This, as Josh can attest to, does not happen often!
Josh: "Did you want a Buick?"
Me: "No."
Josh: "Let me put it this way: Will you consider a Buick?"
Me: "YES! Of course."
Praise the Lord for His goodness and for others sharing their blessings. He certainly did make it very clear indeed!
All along, Josh & I have been praying specifically that God would make it very clear to us what car we should get. There had been a few potentials along the way but never ones that were very clear to us that we should get.
So, we've kept searching. And we've kept praying about it every day.
My mom is driving out of town next week, and Dad will need transportation while she's away. I knew I had til Wednesday. Since I am ridiculously busy, that meant I had part of Friday evening and part of Saturday to find a car, have it looked it, bargain the price down, and purchase it. Hello, pressure.
I'm not gonna lie; a couple of the last few days have been really discouraging. Now add in the pressure of the time constraint, and we're up for real fun!
Tonight I shut my phone off during Josh's concert (they, by the way, did a fAbuLoUs job!!), and it was off for a couple few hours. When I turned it back on there was a voicemail. It was from Shellie, my Pampered Chef consultant who is organizing our Pampered Chef shower, so naturally I assumed the call was regarding the shower.
Wrong!
"Hi, Jennifer. This is Shellie. I was calling to let you know I have a car for you. For free."
A friend of theirs from church is giving me his car. I've been told it's rusty and needs new tires eventually. I believe it's bigger than I wanted. But suddenly I just don't care anymore. I don't care if it has crank windows, a cassette player, and a silly sounding horn. It's free! I feel so lavished upon.
After getting the voicemail, I was so sunned I was speechless. This, as Josh can attest to, does not happen often!
Josh: "Did you want a Buick?"
Me: "No."
Josh: "Let me put it this way: Will you consider a Buick?"
Me: "YES! Of course."
Praise the Lord for His goodness and for others sharing their blessings. He certainly did make it very clear indeed!
This will be brief, as I am quite sleepy and really looking forward to crawling into bed. I just thought I'd post a note.
I'm still battling with insurance companies. I will tell everyone I know how awful Harleysville Insurance is. Oh, and feel free to tell everyone you know, as well!
In the meantime, I'm soooo grateful to have my parents nearby who are making sacrifices to carpool so I can drive one of their cars.
I finally had time to car shop Saturday. Josh came with me, thankfully. The weather was horrible (40 degrees, wind, rain...), and after a ton of searching we walked away with only one weak contender. It was no fun!
There are still a couple places I want to check out. But I am totally open to suggestions or opinions of good OR bad local car dealerships. A bigger place like Basney or Gates doesn't have cars priced at what I can afford. So, think small. Think local. Think trustworthy. And share with me any advice you may have!
I can't believe today marks only 8 weeks until the wedding. Josh pointed that out to me today, and I just about freaked out. Let me make it clear: I am eagerly anticipating beginning married life with Josh! But what I am concerned about is running out of time to get everything done for the wedding. Gulp! I definitely don't want to be prancing around in a panic at the last minute trying to get everything done.
Work lately has sucked up a lot of my personal time, and it's been hard to lose personal time without getting anything in return.
Josh has been so amazing lately. He had Friday off work, and he came to my apartment after I left for work, and he cleaned up a very messy kitchen and living room. Today he helped me in the bedroom. Things had gotten really bad, lots of clutter and disorganization, and I felt too overwhelmed to even know where or how to begin. Now I am inspired. I have to force myself to stop picking up.
Always much to do, but up next: go to bed - yea!
I'm still battling with insurance companies. I will tell everyone I know how awful Harleysville Insurance is. Oh, and feel free to tell everyone you know, as well!
In the meantime, I'm soooo grateful to have my parents nearby who are making sacrifices to carpool so I can drive one of their cars.
I finally had time to car shop Saturday. Josh came with me, thankfully. The weather was horrible (40 degrees, wind, rain...), and after a ton of searching we walked away with only one weak contender. It was no fun!
There are still a couple places I want to check out. But I am totally open to suggestions or opinions of good OR bad local car dealerships. A bigger place like Basney or Gates doesn't have cars priced at what I can afford. So, think small. Think local. Think trustworthy. And share with me any advice you may have!
I can't believe today marks only 8 weeks until the wedding. Josh pointed that out to me today, and I just about freaked out. Let me make it clear: I am eagerly anticipating beginning married life with Josh! But what I am concerned about is running out of time to get everything done for the wedding. Gulp! I definitely don't want to be prancing around in a panic at the last minute trying to get everything done.
Work lately has sucked up a lot of my personal time, and it's been hard to lose personal time without getting anything in return.
Josh has been so amazing lately. He had Friday off work, and he came to my apartment after I left for work, and he cleaned up a very messy kitchen and living room. Today he helped me in the bedroom. Things had gotten really bad, lots of clutter and disorganization, and I felt too overwhelmed to even know where or how to begin. Now I am inspired. I have to force myself to stop picking up.
Always much to do, but up next: go to bed - yea!
