Married 2 weeks!

This was Steven's first week back at work since the wedding. I was supposed to go with him, but plans changed. Monday and Tuesday I was having pretty bad stomach pains, so he decided to leave me here with Mom & Dad so I could go to the doctor. I went on Wednesday, and so far they think I have ulcers. It's probably hereditary, and stress caused it to flair up. Stress? Why would I be stressed? lol With the help of the medication I am feeling better now. Still not perfect, but hopefully by Sunday or Monday the symptoms will be gone. I feel like I'm about 80 years old now, taking all these medications.

I got some of my wedding photos developed today! That was pretty exciting.

I also got a sewing machine! A Brother BC-1000. I saw it at Target before Christmas, but it was too expensive. I went back today, just to look again, and it was on clearance! Yay! I bought it, and could hardly wait to try it out. I still don't really know what I'm doing, but I really like it.

The trip home...

was uneventful until we reached Marion. I pulled my rings off to put some lotion in my hand, and dropped my wedding band in the car. We weren't able to find it until we got home. Steven had to take the console completely apart. remove the passenger seat, and pull the carpet up to find it! 

Our Wedding!

I was partially right when I said nothing would go wrong that day because it already had. Nothing went terribly wrong for Steven and I, but I'm pretty sure everyone helping with our day didn't have much fun. It probably doesn't help that I think all the stuff that went wrong is incredibly funny. 

First, we got to the reception site Thursday evening to decorate, only to be told that we couldn't. After my mom showed up, they seemed to remember our deal about giving us a key. 

Later we found out the place had issues with mice! The ovens didn't work too well either. One of our dishes cooked at 500 degrees for over 4 hours and wasn't burned at all! Actually it was just done. Thankfully, they were able to take the dishes to someone's house in Trumann to finish cooking. The electricity kept going out on them in the kitchen, too. 

Also, Justin's plane broke down, so he had to drive in from Little Rock. That made him late to come take the picture for Courtney to put on our cake. He then had to take it to Wal-Mart to be developed only to discover their machine wasn't working, and apparently getting customer service in Wal-Mart at Trumann isn't easy. 

It did rain, but it held off until we were walking into the bed & breakfast that night. The next day we had a rainy drive to Nashville. The hotel there was great. I would definitely recommend Hotel Preston. However, our floor was a "scratch & sniff" according to Steven. Everyday it had a different smell - everything from coffee to cleaning products to unidentifiable food smells, Chinese maybe? Also, assorted whiskey glasses and coffee pots could be found in the hallway, outside other rooms. I thought they were from room service, but Steven thinks they were statues because the cleaning people didn't take them away very quickly. 

We went to the Nashville zoo one day. That was a lot of fun. We were the only people there for the first hour and a half. They have an AWESOME playground there. 

Soon to be a Wife!

I'm getting married in 3 days, and it still doesn't seem real. I keep thinking it's going to hit me, but the closer it gets, the less real it seems. Mom asked Steven the other day, "So, are you excited?" He just looked at her and asked, "About what?" Haha! It was pretty funny, but I know how he feels. We're both so preoccupied with other things lately that we really haven't sat down and thought, 'oh I'm getting married this week.'

I'm really trying not to be Bridezilla this week. I know last week Steven wanted to lock me in a closet. I still have a 2 page long To DO list, but I'm not too worried about it. Most of it is small things that will only take 30 minutes or so. Also, tomorrow will be my last day of work for the week, and I'm only working 8-12. That means I'll have plenty of time to finish everything. I guess most of my stress was coming from finals, but now that they are finished, everything is great! Actually, I still have to turn in a paper, but I'm going to do that in just a few minutes.

I'm going to pick up my dress tomorrow!!!!! I can't wait! I talked to Michelle last night, right after she finished steaming it. Yay! It made me feel better to know that it was done well before the time I'm supposed to pick it up. I'm also picking up Steven's tuxedo tomorrow. I hope everything is right with it. Surely it will be.

11 Days Left

It's been a very busy weekend, with lots of non-wedding related and wedding related activities. Thankfully, the To Do list is getting shorter.

Done:

marriage license

finished wreaths

designed favor labels

confirmed honeymoon reservations

aisle decorations

Steven's wedding band

Picked up arch

With less than 2 weeks to go, it is definitely starting to sink in. I'm really excited, but nervous at the same time. I've started having crazy dreams. It's usually non-wedding related, but then something wedding related sneaks in. I'm really afraid that I'm going to forget something important that day, like my jewelry or shoes, luggage, or Steven's gift. The moment I look forward to the most, is the moment when I am sitting at the church and realize that I have not forgotten anything, that I have everything I will need for the day there with me. Let's hope that happens.

Oh, and on a happy note - only 2 more weeks of work! Then I will be off for the rest of December! Yay!

23 days to go!

And still so much to do!

I am pretty excited that I'm getting more wedding packages in the mail lately. All the things I have ordered have started arriving. Last week, I got my t-shirt (for rehearsal day!) in and the guestbook. I love them both.

I received an e-mail yesterday that Steven's cufflinks have been shipped. That is a BIG relief. I was pretty worried they wouldn't be here in time because we waited so late to order them.

I'm getting more and more excited about Nashville. I can't wait to take a carriage ride through all the Christmas lights. Also, we have 3rd row seats to the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium. I'm super excited about that!  

Noritake Chatham

This is the china set that I was given by Nanny, my grandmother. This isn't actually a picture of my set, but it is exactly the same. I have a complete set of place settings for 8, and the serving pieces. I think I still need to find the tidbit tray and maybe a few other accessory pieces are out there. I'm just terrified I'm going to break it.

This is what I found out when I googled it.

Manufacturer Status: Discontinued 

Manufactured: 1954-1964

Pattern: #5502

I can see the end!

With only 26 days to go, we are working pretty hard at all this wedding stuff. We have actually accomplished a few more things.

The guest book should arrive on Monday! I can hardly wait to see it.
We are decorating the tree at church on Monday night.
Mom has designed the menus, so now we just have to print them.
I have all the kids' gifts bought. Just have to wrap them now.

The favors are halfway finished! 

My Bachelorette Party is Friday night! I'm so excited. I'm not sure what all Lauren has planned, but I'm sure it is going to be a lot of fun. 

Minnie Pearl!

Our newest addition has been named Minnie Pearl.
She had her first trip to the vet today. He said she is approximately 10 weeks old and appears to be a Red Heeler.

Ramblings from Bridezilla...

We ordered the guestbook! Finally! I was really beginning to get worried that we wouldn't be able to get it in time. It should arrive around Thanksgiving. I can't wait to see it!

I just ordered Steven's awesome cufflinks! I hope we can get them in time. They should be e-mailing me tomorrow to confirm the order and coordinate the pictures.

Kathi ordered Hanna's dress! It should be in this weekend. I can hardly wait to see her in it. She's going to be adorable!


Last weekend, Lauren and Shana threw a lingerie shower for me. I had so much fun! And I was SOOOO happy that all but one of my 8 bridesmaids were able to come! I love my girls! I'm pretty sure I have the best friends in the world.


What kind of person decides to participate in a yard sale a month before their wedding? Um, apparently crazy ones like me do. Saturday I'm getting up bright and early to join Lauren, her mom, and Ma for a yard sale. I must be insane. I still don't have all of my stuff together either. I was working on it last week, but it got put to the side so that I could clean the house and get ready for Ashley's bachelorette party. Which, by the way, was AWESOME. Another of my insane moments - I agreed to host her party at my house, again a month before my own wedding. That's ok though. It turned out great and we had a GREAT time. Pretty sure glow bowling was the best part of the night.

I know they're around here somewhere...

Where on Earth did September and October go? I'm pretty sure I never saw either of them. The last thing I remember is...well, getting engaged in March! haha, I'm pretty sure my brain flew out of my head at that moment and has yet to return. It is probably on vacation in Tahiti with September and October at this very moment. Well, okay I saw the end of October. Unfortunately it left poor Steven with a very undeserved black eye. Oh well, he's all better now. Kind of.

I think he's getting a cold/possible sinus infection. He actually got up and took medicine on his own will last night. That's never good. It means he's really sick.

We are hard at work on wedding stuff. We meaning my mom and myself ;-) With only 35 days to go, we have accomplished a lot, but we've still got a lot to do!

-Mom is working on favors at this very moment. (She's wonderful! I love my Mommy.)
-Dad mailed off the check for the photographer's balance this week. (I heart my Daddy too!)
-I finalized my hair and make up appointments for the big day. (Ally and Jenny Lynn will have me looking fabulous!)
-We finalized the catering menu and cake designs! I am so pumped about Steven's cake!
I don't even care what mine looks like anymore. I just want his to be perfect!
-I've been working hard on thank you notes. I'm behind, but I promise they WILL get done.
If you haven't gotten yours yet, I'm really sorry. It's somewhere between the to-be-written list and your mailbox.

Our New Addition!

We have added another little girl to our zoo! She still doesn't have a name, but we are working on it.

51 Days & 62 Days

51 days until I am married! I can't wait!

I have promised myself that I will get as much as humanly possible done BEOFRE the big day. I want to be able to wake up the next morning and actually remember the day before. I don't want to be one of those brides that is so stressed out and rushing around so much that I don't take time to enjoy my day. I want to remember my wedding from my memory, not just the pictures.

I'm going to (hopefully) get up around 8 so that I have time to take a relaxing bath before having to jump into everything. Hopefully I will have time to enjoy breakfast with my parents too. I want to have time to sit around with the girls while we are getting ready and talk and have a good time. I'm getting the receiving line out of the way at the church so I can dance with my new husband and visit with friends and family at the reception, but still have time to stop and eat and enjoy my cake. I am determined not to be a bridezilla on my wedding day. I may be up until that day (I hope not), but not on that day. I want it to be a pleasant experience for everyone.

62 days until CHRISTMAS! I started on my Christmas cards tonight. Yes, I must be crazy. Not only is it October, but I should be working on wedding stuff, NOT addressing Christmas cards that won't be sent out for another month, almost 2. Oh well, I enjoy it. I love Christmas. I told Steven that as soon as Halloween is over, Christmas decorations go up! yay!

4 years

On October 11, 2007, Steven and I had been together for 4 years! To celebrate we went to the zoo.



AND - Steven surprised me with THREE dozen red and white roses! He's such a sweetie. I think I'll keep him.

Honeymoon in Music City!

Our honeymoon is booked! Yay! We're staying in town Friday night, and heading off to Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday!

I can't wait to see all the Christmas lights and decorations! We'll also be there in time to catch the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman!


www.hotelpreston.com

She's a Stinker!

Happy Halloween from Emerald the Skunk!

How time flies...

In 60 days I will be Mrs. Anderson. Wow, it seems like just last week we were wondering through jewelry stores looking at rings! It's so hard to believe it is actually October. Everything has gone by so fast this year.
The last several months have been rather stressful. I feel like we have been hit with every curve ball imagineable. I do feel a little better now that I have a few things accomplished, though.

Things Checked off the To Do List:
Dress alterations
Hair & make up appointments made
Shoes bought
New hair clip
Bridal portrait and frame
Groomsmen fitted - (minus one)
Thank you cards ordered
Flower girl / ring bearer gifts
Reception menu
Cake desins
Invitations sent - CHECK! Yay! Well, we still have 3 or 4 to send out, but for the most part they are done. That is the biggest relief ever!


And of course...the dreaded list of things that are STILL on the To Do List:

Order guestbook
Order Steven's cufflinks
Parents' gifts
Groomsmen gifts
Finish Bridesmaid gifts
"Something Borrowed"
"Something Old"
Design and print programs
Honeymoon Reservations (Yeah, we definitely need to get on that one! Eeek)
Aisle runner
Finish flowers
Finish aisle decorations
Finish slideshow (Almost done! yay!)
Rehearsal dinner reservations

Well, at least the list is getting shorter.

Guest list? What's that?

Well, we FINALLY have the reprinted info cards back for our invitations! Yay! Now we just have to assemble them, address, stamp, and mail them. I'm hoping to get a lot of them assembled tomorrow night while watching tv at Mom and Dad's.

I am still very stressed out though. I can feel (and see) the stress level rising every day. As I get more stressed, I forget and/or lose things. Then I stress about forgetting and losing things. Then I just do it more! Oh boy! And now I'm stressed out just thinking, or rather knowing, that I'm about to start losing and forgeting things. Not to mention my house is a complete disaster right now. That sure doesn't help me to keep up with my stuff.

Why can't we elope? :-)

Goodbye Mustang, Hello TrailBlazer!

Friday we went and picked up my new car. I got a silver, 2004 Chevy Trailblazer. I really wasn't excited about getting an SUV at first, as I really wanted another Mustang. However, after being 2 weeks without a car and not a lot of money, I knew it was a good deal and had to take it. Not that I didn't like it at all, I just really wanted a Mustang. However, now I am in love! I love having so much space! I love having a bigger storage area. I love having a newer, fancier cd player. I love having more than one cup holder! lol I also love that Steven will no longer complain about being uncomfortable when driving on long trips. Oh, and the shiny new license plate is nice too! ;-)

Bye Bye, Mustang!

Well, we said goodbye to my Mustang last weekend. Saturday night, a little before 12 am Sunday morning, Steven and I were hit going through the intersection of Highland and Stadium. The car is totalled. We don't have an official say so on that from the insurance company, but well, the pictures show that it's pretty obvious. The whole front end is missing. The motor should be on the passenger side of the car, but it's on the driver's side. Hmmm....yeah we got hammered. God was definitely with us though. We're both ok. I sprained my wrist and bruised my knees, but that's all.

Reasons to avoid doing business with the city of Jonesboro...

While standing in line at the bookstore today, trying to buy my textbooks like a good college student, I decided to call the mayor's office and ask if I could simply fax them the invoice for the price of the invitations and for the price of the reprints. I knew I wouldn't get out of there before 4:15 and would be working late tomorrow. Now that I'm back in school, I really don't have time to be arguing with them over something so stupid. However, no, that just wouldn't do. They insisted I bring ALL of the invitations in for inspection. An example of one wouldn't even work. They wanted to see all of them. To count them maybe? Because I'm sure I'm going to order 3 wedding invitations and tell them I ordered 200. That would just make sooo much sense, right? Who knows. The woman even asked me where they were. My reply? "Still at home on the dining room table!" I called my mom, she loaded them up into the car, and then we met up to go to City Hall. They acted like they weren't even sure the city would pay for it, "It may even have to go before the council."

One woman even had the audacity to say, "Well I've certainly never seen anyone else order invitations so early." Early?! What rock did she crawl out from under? We have less than four months to go and a RSVP date of November 13! That's less than 3 months away. We still have to reorder them, assemble and address them, and get them mailed out. She also suggested that we WAIT to reorder them because they "might be able to work something out." If they were going to do that, they should have a long time ago, before ticking me off maybe?

I am taking my reception to Trumann. I don't care what facility the city can come up with or what price they give me. I'm tired of dealing with them, and I said so today at City Hall. I'm pretty sure I made their "people to avoid dealing with list" today.

Steven's Theme Songs

If he could have a soundtrack for his life, I'm pretty sure these two would be included.

Cute Song

Can you tell I'm a Brad Paisley fan?

They just keep the pranks coming...

Brad Paisley's Ticks Featuring Taylor Tick, Kellie Tickler & Jack Ingram as "The Exerminator"

This is too funny!

My new toy!

I got my Pink KitchenAid mixer! Yay! I never thought I would be this excited about a cooking appliance. I told Steven I'm starting to feel old. :-)

The only thing I have made so far is a couple of batches of muffins. They were good though! Tomorrow I'm going to make a cake if I have time.

"Your marriage will be perfect if your wedding isn't."

That is what one of the ladies at church told me tonight, and boy I sure hope it's true! I'm about to pull out my hair.

*Rewind to April*

I booked the Huntington Building for our reception. Talked directly to the mayor and his secretary about it. A lot of good that did me.

*Fast Forward to Yesterday*

They called yesterday-exactly 4 months before my wedding-to inform us that they had sold the building, and it would be undergoing renovations at that time! Okay, do they really expect me that plans were made and approved yesterday to sell and renovate this building? I'm pretty sure they have known a little longer than that.

Our invitations came in two weeks ago. They were not cheap, and they have the reception info printed on them! Needless to say my family is not very happy. We have all been calling every place we can think of to find a replacement. We've even enlisted the help of several friends to call places too. The problem is, that place was pretty much a last choice for me. I'm having an even harder time finding anything available now.

I'm calling the mayor's office back tomorrow to ask for more suggestions. I fully intend to make this THEIR problem, not just mine.

Today we...

have done not much of anything. I took Emerald to the vet this morning. It was her first trip to the doctor, and I was pleasantly surprised with how well she did.


Mom and I went to Hobbly Lobby today. They had Christmas ornaments 40% off. We decided on some more of the wedding decorations and bought some pink and black ornaments. Maybe I will get pictures of those up soon.

For now, here's a shot of Emerald enjoying a car ride with Steven.

Tired of waiting...

Why did we have to have a December wedding? Oh yeah, I wanted winter and Steven wanted his birthday. I'm thinking we should have gone with our original idea of October. I'm tired of waiting. I just wish everything was finished. I still have two pages of a "to do" list for wedding stuff, and I only have 4 months and 7 days left. Aaaahhhh!

Make Guestbook
Finish Slideshow
Print rehearsal invitations
Book rehearsal dinner
Burn CDs
Design/Print cd cases/labels
Make table number cards
Design Programs
Print photos for decorations
Buy decorations for groom's cake
Decide on bridal portrait
Mail bridal preview cd's to FIL's
Finish BM gifts
Buy GM gifts
Buy parent gifts
Finish bouquets
Buy aisle decorations
FInd flowergirl dress pattern


I have to do all of this and more. AND I start back to school August 20. I'm going to lose my mind. I would like to apologize in advance for any Bridezilla behavior that may occur due to high stress levels.

Wedding Bells

Well, as everyone knows, I'm getting married Dec. 14. I have been have a ton of fun planning, but it kind of gets old to everyone else. I have been trying really hard not to bore all my friends with the details unless they ask. Well, last weekend that problem was solved. Ashley got engaged!!! Yay! Now I have a fellow Bridezilla to plan with!

Last week, we had a planning get together, so that I could share all the fascinating things in the piles of wedding magazines I have. Here are a few pictures...





I also wanted to share this picture. This is my mother in her wedding dress. I love this photo.

Memories

I love looking at pictures, especially old family photos. Here are some of the ones I have come across lately. A few are a little embarrassng, but I guess everyone has photos like that.


Halloween 1993. I was 6.


Whitney and I with our Aunt Lisa in February or March of 1988. This was around my 1st birthday.


Me and Pawpaw at the Grandparent Tea. My second grade class hosted a Grandparents' Night.



Whitney, Beth, and I on Big Mama's bed. I'm not really sure when these were taken, but they sure are cute.

Play Time!

After a long nap, Emerald and Sage were ready to play again! They also took time out to have a picture made with Grandma and Grandpa.

Nap Time!

After an afternoon filled with family, friends, cooking, eating, and playing everyone was pretty worn out.

Emerald (my cocker spaniel) and Sage (Whitney's King Charles Cavelier Spaniel) have spent the last couple of days together at Grandma & Grandpa's house. They love playing together! But at the end of the day, they are both exhausted and ready to sleep through the night.

Steven is happy to be home for a few days. He usually comes home on Thursday and heads back to Fayetteville on Sunday. This week he came home Tuesday night. He'll probably sleep most of his vacation.