Christmas Time is Here

(Not my house, nor my tree)

Merry Christmas!

We've almost finished all the shopping and wrapping and are looking forward to the days ahead spent with Family. I think we've finally got the schedule nailed down and it doesn't look too horrific!

Christmas Eve Day:

• Good family friends - Richard is really just another one of their kiddos!
• StepDad-in-laws' sisters' party! - should be a good time with good peps

Christmas Day:

• Home - just us to start. We are newlyweds! and want to relax a little. I'm thinking a nice breakfast together and then presents... of course the cats will want to play
• Grandma D's - Richard's mom's side of the fam
• Philip & Teresita's house - Richard's dad's side of the fam and other good fam friends
• My Nana & Boo's house - My Mom's side of things

Day After Christmas:

• Hockey game with Dad and Jen to celebrate with them!

This year we bought an artificial tree - 9 feet tall, LARGE diameter, and multi-colored lights! I love(d) it. But didn't realize how big the base was until after we put it up (oops - sorry honey). We loved it for the first 5 minutes - until the first strand of lights went out, unlighting the entire tree -- my BRAND NEW tree. So we went with it. It was only at the bottom and if I just bipassed that strand, the tree would light. Then a second strand went out - right in the mid-section of the tree. Sad day.

So after Christmas (since I want it up for Christmas), we'll be returning the tree, getting a full refund and then trying again. Perhaps there will be some good clearance trees?? If not, there is always next year!

What are your plans?

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving this year is a first for us ... both as a married couple and as I experience the effects of newly divorced parents with one now living in another state. So we're going to Chicago and we're bring my sister along with us. Looks like the weather will be decent (for Chicago in November) and we're excited to see the city and Dad's new diggs out there.

We'll be doing the traditional Thanksgiving dinner and seeing the city, but other than that - really no plans. I hope to have a restful trip so that I can return to work refreshed and ready to hit up busy season! Richard NEEDS the break from school. We're not even bringing our computers so there will be minimal temptation for either of us to work :)

A little list of things I'm thankful for this year:
-Richard
-Getting all our wedding photos (it took a long time, but I just ordered an album)
-The love of family and friends
-My new computer (LOVE IT)
-The house ... even though it comes with an evil HOA
-Good books that let my mind escape to an alternate world

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Snow!

This is my backyard and the front of my house today after 26 inches of snow! I can't remember the last time that we got this much snow so early in the season.

Richard woke up early yesterday (and for him that's HUGE) to shovel the driveway for me so I could get to work on time. Then we both did 2 shifts of shoveling this morning and then again this morning. I opted to make today a work from home day! But Rich had to go to class.

Love the beauty of the snow!

My Husband ... The Farmer

Quick shout out to my husband ... his hard work out in our garden all summer long, we now have over 225 tomatoes! and 12 Green Peppers!

Richard worked tirelessly out in the garden, watering, providing vitamins, and singing lullabyes (.. well maybe not). He loves to garden and we are totally reaping the rewards. I wish I had been thinking and taken a picture of him and his garden before we harvested. The tomato plants were over 6.5 feet all and eventually due to being top heavy all fell over. With the cold nights last wewek and more expected this week, we decided to harvest over the weekend.

Did you know that to help tomatoes which are not ripe to ripen, you're supposed to wrap in newspaper and put them in a cool, dark area??? Really! When Richard told me this, I had to call BS - they're plants and plants need the sun, right? Nope - I was wrong. But then again I was raised in a house full of black thumbs.... my Nana can grow anything, but sadly that wasn't passed to Mom and well Dad hates all things dirty, including dirt for gardening. So no gardening happened at my house.

Last night, Richard shared with me a favorite treat of his from childhood - Fried Green Tomatoes. No, not the movie - the actual frying of non-ripe tomatoes. Yummy!

Recent Reflections

In the last week, I feel as though many people have asked us "how's married life?" Well its good - but it is really no different. If anything, we spend less time together than we did before we were married. Not because we don't want to be around eachother, but because we are more secure in us. We get to hang-out together often - and I love it! Our schedules don't always allow us to get to see the "best" of the other, but I love what we do get.

I love kissing a still sleeping Richard every morning before I leave for work, getting home first and starting dinner or doing something around the house, kissing him goodnight as he watches the game or reads his textbook. I used to love going to bed in the darkness of my bedroom, but now, I almost need the light on - cuz I know he'll come to bed and turn it off. I know that he'll check that the door is closed and locked and for some reason, that makes me feel safe.

So looking back on our 2.5 months of marriage - I know that I long for our marriage to be one that honors eachother and the values we share together. I think we're doing that well now and I pray that we continue to do so.

Rich starts school this week to get his master's degree. I'm so proud of him for starting the jounrey, but we both know that we have years of classes, projects, and finals ahead of him. While I can't speak for him, I think we're both standing at the base of this mountain wondering what it will bring. We know that it can be done, but it's a long climb, especially with one class at a time. He will have to put in the hard work required to pass while working full time. I can't do the work for him, but I find myself wondering how I can ease some of the pressure/work/stress that comes from taking this on. How can I support him the most in this new stage of our live together?

Oppsites Really do Attract

Point in case: He LOVES thunder storms and I strongly dislike them... thunder scares me. It always has and always will.... especially when I'm home alone at night! I sometimes wonder how I married a man who absolutely loves thunderstorms and lightning and rain and hail and tornadoes!

But really I look at us and I true think opposites attract each other - without even knowing it. Subconsciously, they are what we're not as thus make a good partner in life.

Some of our opposites:
-He's tall (6'4") - I'm short (5'4")
-He's got dark brown hair - I'm a blond
-He's from the city - I'm from the suburbs
-He loves science - me accounting (okay we could argue both are math related)
-He's a dog person - I'm a cat person, but we'll get a dog one day
-He runs OUTSIDE during a thunderstorm - me, well I'd be under-the-bed if I wouldn't get made fun of for the rest of my life
-I'm uber organized and clean, he's not quite as much (but I'm like OCD)

and my current favorite: Sometimes I want/need change - Rich hates all change

When we moved in -
Rich - "Are you sure this is where you want the couches?"
Me - "yes!"

And last week:
"So I think I want to move the couches around..."

Yep, that's me. I like to re-arrange furniture every now and then. Especially when I move into a new place. You have to feel it out to see if it "feels right." So, right now, it doesn't feel right.

We haven't yet moved the couches :)

Honeymoon!!

(note: this was supposed to be posted mid July... and when I went to change the date, it pushed it back to 2008 -- YIKES)

Was fabulous!

Richard and I made a deal about a year ago, that whenever we got married, I would plan the wedding and he would plan the honeymoon.... and that the honeymoon would be a surprise. So on June 11, we were married and it was everything that I've always wanted. I felt gorgeous, Richard was extremely good looking in the tux (I wasn't sure about the black shirt with white tie ... but it was awesome) and we had a blast. We got to see friends (went to fast) and got to swing dance ( I didn't keep my frame well but we had fun), really it was perfect. From the feedback we've received everyone also had a great time ... but people always tell you that. Then that night we got hooked up at a local hotel, the Omni... with Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries.

The next morning, we did what any new married couple would do.... went home and mowed the lawn! I know romantic, right? But it needed to be done before we left and we always do it together. It also gave us (read Richard) time to finish packing and prepping for the honeymoon.



SAT AM - we go to the airport and I find out we're going to Tampa, FL. I'm thinking, really Tampa? Why Tampa of all the places for a surprise honeymoon. But I keep my thoughts to myself cuz who knows what Richard has planned...

We arrive in Tampa, get on a shuttle bus and head downtown to our hotel. During the shuttle ride the driver is asking all kinds of questions and I learn that no, we're not in town to go on a cruise, while we are here for the beaches we're staying just about as far away from them as we could get and we didn't rent a car ... interesting honey!

So we go to a nice dinner that night since it is our honeymoon and all... there Richard breaks down and tells me that we are in deed GOING ON A CRUISE!!!! And not just any cruise, but a Western Caribbean 7 day Cruise to Grand Cayman, Belize, and Isla Roatan, Honduras! Couldn't have been a better place for our honeymoon.

We just got on the boat and thy handed us drinks!

Cruising around on the boat, checking things out

We spent much time sitting in these chairs, reading, napping and laughing

Dancing in the club :)

Port #1 - Grand Cayman Island

We went snorkeling here ... look how clear it is.

Port #2 - Belize

Sharing a Coke over lunch

Mayan Ruins of Belize

Port #3 - Roatan Island - Honduras

Our favorite!

Swimming with Dolphins

Kisses

More Dolphin kisses

The best beach EVER!

Last day on the boat

Every night at dinner our steward would make a towel animal, but on the last night we got a heart. He must have figured out we were honeymooning.

My favorite animal of the trip was the monkey - he was awesome!

Florida Aquarium - We spent our last day here until we had to go to the airport. It was an amazing honeymoon! Way to go Rich!

We're Back!

I've started to write a post detailing our honeymoon - but I've been doing it in my free time at work and I don't have any of the pictures here. I've also decided that posts without pictures are boring, so you'll have to wait for the honeymoon detail :)


We've officially been married for 20 days!!

Our wedding was everything that I could have dreamed and then some. We had a blast! I felt gorgeous and knew by the way Richard first looked at me that he agreed. Richard looked amazing in his tux. Almost everything went according plan with some minor changes, of which, I barely took note of. I married my best friend! Who cares about anything else? I don't have the

(at our reception)

wedding pics yet but thankfully Kath took some awesome shots (and shared them via FB), so I'll leave you with some of them until I post honeymoon details (like how I'm not giving anything away). If you have pics from the wedding, I really want to see them.

(Yep, he dipped me!)

(Officially Mr & Mrs)

Swing Dancing

It all started with a friend at my old work asking me/us to go dancing with him, before Richard and I even started to date. This friend went all the time and was really good, so I mentioned to Richard, if you go, I'll go. And as we were both beginners we could learn together - so that's what we did. We would meet at a local park-n-ride, then take one car to Denver (to save on gas). This was another time that we were able to spend time getting to know one another. I truly feel that car rides are a great time to talk to one another - other than traffic, there are really no distractions. It was on our car rides down to the Merc that we talked most about life, dreams, ambitions, and stories from childhood. Richard was always anxious to share new music with me and we found that we never ran out of things to discuss.

(Not Us - though maybe one day)

Since then, Richard and I have always loved to swing dance together. When we first started dating every Sunday night was swing dancing at the Mercury Cafe. As we prepare for our wedding, we decided that we really need to practice and get back in shape, so we're back at the Merc on Wednesday nights for their beginner lessons. It is also a great way for us to relieve stress and to spend time together, reminiscing the good ol'days.

5 Weeks and Counting

Yesterday marked 5 weeks to the wedding. Both very exciting... but also kinda stressful. I made the mistake of looking at my checklist of things to do and got REALLY stressed out. It's just all those little things that add up. So please help me - if you haven't sent back your RSVP - please do... we won't be offended if you can't make it - we just need to know, so don't let that be the reason to net sent it. And if you can make it - by all means let us know so that we can fully prepare to celebrate with you .... If you didn't pick up the gist - just send them back sooner rather than later.

On that note, it has been interesting to see people's response cards. For people who have recently planned or are currently planning, they put the names of everyone who will be attending. Then there are people like Richard - who just put there own name then say 3 people are coming. While that's fine and all - but that person will be receiving a phone call "so its you and who are you bringing - can you please spell that for us." Because the last thing that you want is to spell someone's name wrong. It happened to me at a wedding once - Sarah - not Sara, was put on the card. It kinda made me sad. So as I'm picky about my name, I don't want to mess others up. Okay - I'll step off the soap box (for now).

A new stress for me - the rehearsal dinner. Even before Richard's mom passed away, we had always planned on doing/planning the rehearsal dinner ourselves. She lived in Oregon thus making it hard to plan and his Dad really didn't seem interested. Richard has really handled the details of this - but it dawned on me today that we should create a guest list. We knew we wanted just immediate family and bridal party - but that leaves a lot to question: Step-parents, girlfriends/boyfriends, husbands/wives, children, dates .... wow that is a lot to ponder. Holy cow - I think I'm gonna need some wine.

So with 5 weeks out - I have my 2nd/final dress fitting tomorrow, trying to break in my shoes (thats a whole other post), and then do the little things.

Oh yeah -Happy Mother's Weekend to all the moms! In my family we don't just celebrate days - we make weeks or weekends out of events. I guess you could just say that we love our family. So I leave you with my Mom, Nana, and sister. All amazing women!

A Friend's Journey

I was cruising around one of my favorite social networking sites and found that a friend of mine had a link to this blog.

A group of women, my friend included, are going to Sierra Leone this summer to work with children and the blog is how they are raising money for their trip. They are holding an auction where people can bid on everything from paintings, to gift cards, to even shower money for the team. The auction is open from today (5/7) through Sunday night at 8pm (MST). I think this is such a cool way to raise money and get people involved and excited for their trip.

It's really happening

We got it .... the first RSVP to the wedding!! It seems that receiving that in the mail really helped me realize that the wedding is 2 months. I loved that I got to be the one to open the mailbox last night and see it in there....I'm not sure Rich is as excited about it as I am. I can't wait to check tonight.

On a different thought - I was making our traditional green bean casserole for Easter dinner at Nana's this weekend and Rich says "You should have extra bought ingredients. That way we can make more..." Who knew he liked the casserole that much! Luckily for him I did get the family size and we have leftovers. I'll be adding this recipe to the "list" of foods we can easily make and both really like. It was so nice to be cooking in my kitchen this weekend in my home, though it did really make me feel like a grown-up, especially with Rich outside working on making the yard look good. Dog urine and poo which is not picked up is NOT good for the yard -- thank you precious owners! We also have this weed which Richard has never seen which has infested most of the back yard. He says it'll take 2-3 YEARS before it looks the way he wants it to.... Really?? Its a yard... grass grows... well I trust that our (cough**his**cough) yard will be the best on the block when he's done.

Wedding Update

Family invitations are out! YAY.

We just got our tax return(s) this week and have some plans for what to do with it ...
- bedroom furniture :) I would love to get this sooner rather than later, that way I can free up some space in the closet for Richard to put his shoes in the shoe spot. I also think it will help to have a finished look in the room.
- new fence :( not really wanting to spend $$ this way, but we desperately need a new one. I can home last night and one panel was completely off the posts.
- Other home buys: Lawn mower - someday soon

Busy Season is in Full Effect

I love my job, but right now I'm ready for March 31 to be here. Most of my clients have March 31 filing deadlines and that means my life is rather busy. In the past 5 weeks, I have been in Raleigh, NC, Anderson & Indianapolis, IN, Pueblo, CO and Boulder, CO working on various audits. During this I have found a new love for being at home.

Speaking of home. Our house is great. We still have boxes everywhere, unpacking to do, furniture to arrange, and cleaning, but we love it. Rich said its starting to feel like home for him and I once my traveling subsides, I will feel at home as well. Last weekend we did what true homeowners do - yardwork. Rich wants to start a garden but we have weeds all over the back so he was busy trying to pull them out. I was busy in the front with racking the wood pellets which blow out of their area in the wind. We know we have a lot of work a head of us before getting the yard in the condition we want it - but it's something he enjoys. While yardwork isn't my favorite - I view it as an investment in our house and I'm willing to do my share of the work as it's only fair.

This weekend I hope to do some much needed cleaning throughout the house. Last night was my first night to really use the kitchen and man-o-man, to continue with the previous owner's not cleaning - the inside of the oven is a disaster. I've never actually cleaned an over, so I'll be learning this weekend. If the house doesn't burn down - it'll be a success.

(Disclaimer - yes the first time I really used the kitchen was this week, but this week is also my first week of not traveling, so I'm really not that much of a slacker. I will say that Rich has cooked for me 2-3 times already).

Pictures - I would love to post some, but Rich has them all on his camera and I haven't downloaded them yet. Hopefully soon.

I have to say, I love coming home to my soon-to-be husband in the evenings.. especially when he has a glass of wine waiting as well :)

February 2009....

Excluding the last 3 days of the month, February 2009 will go down in our books as the worst month EVER!! There is much to say about this month, but without clearing it with Richard, I'll keep it generic.

1) Death = suckage... even if you know it's coming.

2) Kitty surgery = no fun on any day... 1 week after #1 above = even worse. Throw in 1am complications, emergency vet trip and Sara traveling == super suckage.

3) Busy Season - as icing on the cake - when I've been in town, its at least an 11 hour working day (no commute time included). By the time I get home, its not worth a trip to B-town for Richard as I'll just fall asleep. But I was only in town for 2 weeks. The other 2 -- leave mid Sunday, travel to east coast, work long hours all week, minimal alone time, and then come home LATE LATE Friday night. So I can officially say - WAY TO GO MOM!! I don't know how you do it every week and manage to still be nice to everyone.

4) HOME -- the good of the month! We bought a house yesterday :) And couldn't be happier about it. Super stressful along the way and we still have more to accomplish with moving and decorating - but it's ours. Yay us!!!

So I'll try not to kick February out the door too fast, but I'm more than ready for this month to end.

Welcome March.... and for me, that also means Pueblo, CO - here I come.

Houses....

So we've spent the better part of the weekends for the past month or so house-hunting. We knew that we wanted a house that required minimal work on our part - painting and carpet, or minor repairs, but we didn't want a fixer-upper. We've seen houses and townhouses in every range on the spectrum, and there were some where we would walk in and then just turn right around and leave. Mostly they were in good condition, but some made me wonder if these people really wanted to sell their homes. We saw one house that had potential, but we couldn't really see the house because they had so much junk everywhere. We had walked upstairs to look at the master bedroom and the owner left a pillow or blanket under the comforter that made it look like someone was sleeping.... or dead. I was officially creeped out. Another house we walked in was clearly a fix-n-flip that ran out of money... seriously the walls were half one color and half another. It was like mid-roll, they just decided to stop.

I say all this to say that this past weekend, we found "the one." I loved it... it's cute, not too big, open and inviting.. and in our price range. Richard said he would be happy anywhere and that I'm the more difficult one to please with finding the "right" house, but I know he loved it too. So we made an offer... on Sunday night at like 11pm! That was a rush... and neither of us could really sleep that night. But they countered on Monday morning and it was right where we were hoping to end (okay.. well a little higher, but I didn't want to let it go with a difference of like 2k... really it won't make much difference in the loan) so we accepted and by 3pm on Monday we were under contract :)

What a roller coaster of a Monday .... so I'll leave you with a pic of what we hope will be our house.

A Hard Start ot 2009

2009 thus far has not been filled the joy that we hoped. Last night, while ringing in the new year with friends, one noticed her boyfriend was not around and his car was gone. When we finally reached him on his phone, he told us he thought he had totaled his car. My friend ran to find him and luckily met up with him at the end of the block... the bad news - his face was bleeding rather heavily and we knew. The saga that followed was not fun, but to sum up, his car was in a ditch, Rich and I took a ride in the back of a police cruiser but it was only to help the officer as we were not in trouble... never the less, a new experience for both of us, and friend's boyfriend was in the ER with the local police looking for him. Thank fully Mom, was kinda enough to come pick Rich and I up since the risk of driving home all after that and 2 drinks wasn't worth it.

I didn't think that we could top that, but later today, we found out that one of Rich's friends from high school killed himself on Christmas. I never met him, but it saddens me. From the little I know, he had just lost his job and with his past, hope of a new job was non-existent. He also had a baby this year with his girlfriend.... and they broke up within the last months. I feel bad for his family and all his friends. Another friend of Rich's from high school is taking this hard. I can only hope that comfort is found for all.

So to all who may read this, I hope your new year is better than our has started. Here's to 2009... well a happy and prosperous 2009. Make sure to eat your black-eyed-peas since they are supposed to bring luck.