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.