Our First "Domestic" Purchase

Before

Today, June 30th saw Jeff and I re-doing our kitchen. The house is painted all the same color or shall I say, all in the same color family, that being white. Lucky for us we are able to change that, either painting, new floors, lights, etc. So Jeff and I decided that we would paint the kitchen, put up a new curtain and make our first "domestic" purchase...a stove. We painted the room a light khaki color and left the cabinets cream color. I found a really cute shade/curtain at Target. I am not a fan of those "kitchen curtains" so this one worked out just perfect. It is red, cream and khaki stripe. Jeff loved it and loved how the kitchen turned out. Then it was off to Home Depot to look for a stove. He didn't have one and since we both love to cook, we knew that wasn't something we could live without. (Unlike Carrie on Sex-and-the-City, I do not keep sweaters in my oven...I cook in it.) After looking, comparing, and finally saying "who cares" we chose one. I had no idea there were so many to pick from, goodness. It is going to be delivered on July 3rd....we are so excited. I know, how can anyone get excited over an oven, but Jeff says that he first time he cooks on it will be to make me dinner...isn't that sweet. So the next room to tackle is the living room/dining room. Those rooms are really big and have a lot of great space. We think we are just going to paint and get some curtains up..amazing what just those two things can do to a room. Also, in the works is some work done to the outside, he and I both have a plan that will help the outside of the house. We are lucky in that we have a big yard and we can plant anything in the flower beds...so it is beginning to start looking and feeling like our home.

After

Our Home

For those of you who don't know, once we are married Jeff and I will be living in his house. He lives in what is called a "state house". Since he works for TDC and is a Lt., he has the opportunity to live in a house that the state owns and pays for, hence the name, state house. These homes were built in the 1950's. They are red brick, two bedroom, a duplex and the most important thing, free. I will admit at first I was against living there, mainly because the unit is so close. Jeff and I had several conversations over the issue. I explained my position and he explained his. He understood where I was coming from and listened my concerns, I listened to his. Guess I learned a valuable lesson, I learned that we are in this together. We have to learn to listen to each other and go from there.

Well we are going to be living in his place and we are going to be adding our touch to each room. Today, I went to Home Depot and bought the paint for the kitchen. We are going with a light khaki color on the walls, leaving the cabinets the off white color they are, and I found a really cute curtain for the window. I think that will look great once we get it all finished. I can't wait to go up there and start painting. I know with each thing we do it will make the place more ours, it will make it our home.

Changes

This morning I took another step towards getting married. I gave my apartment complex my 60 day notice that I will be moving out come August 30. Next question, where am I living until November 8th? Well who knows...but I will find something. The rent was going up and there was a fee of $150.00 extra, so I just couldn't see paying $900.00 to live here, YIKES! Some have said, "just live with Jeff" and maybe I should but I am still a bit of an old fashioned girl and that just doesn't sound right to me. Plus, I don't think (or I know rather) that my parents (aka check writers) would not like that idea. Mom really hopes that she has a place up here by then and we do too for her sake, if so, "Hi mom, I am back!"

Also, this morning I worked out again. I started working out about two weeks ago or so. Lets just say, it ain't pretty. But I do always feel better, once I stop sweating and catch my breath. I am trying to just make sure I look better in my dress and for the big event. Jeff has been so supportive and wonderful. He is always telling me, "you don't need to loose weight, I love you the way you are", those are all wonderful to hear. It reminds me of a story my grandma (Mimi) told me. She said my grandpa (Papaw..Loyal) told her once that he didn't care if she got so big she had to ride in the back seat and he was in the front seat of the car, he would always love her. That is how Jeff is and I know that I am truly blessed. But for me, it is more about getting into shape or trying to. I just want to tone up a bit (really a lot but gotta be realistic here) so that is why I am giving it a try. Today, my arms were killing me and I just kept telling myself my new mantra....."You do not want to look like a giant marshmallow, keep going!" We shall see if it pays off but for now, my payoff is I do feel better and have more energy....

We Have A Rehearsal

Today Mom, Grace and I went out to Kirby's Lone Star Bar-B-Que in Montgomery. If you haven't been there and live in the area, go! The place is great. Jeff and I have eaten there before and we both love the atmosphere. It is very relaxed, everything is done in a Texas theme, and the best part, the food is great. We decided that was just the type of place we would love to have for our rehearsal dinner. We have a large wedding party and a few out of town guests and this would be a wonderful place for them all to get to know one another before the big event. They might be moving locations but the new place promises to be just as great, either way it will be a great night. I am getting more and more excited as we continue the planning. The whole weekend will be a dream come true!

Planning and more planning

The past day or two have seen us planning, planning and more planning. I was able to schedule an appointment with a local baker for a cake tasting, and the best part, it is on a day that Jeff can join us. He is off that day and I really wanted him to be able to taste and pick out what he wants on the his cake. He was glad about being able to go to this event, I mean who wouldn't like to taste cake and for free.

Mom, Mary, Jennifer and I came up with some fun, different ideas for reception decorations. Now the fun part is working on those details and seeing them all come into place. Mary, is just great a research and finding the finds, she did last night I can't wait to see how they all turn out. Thanks Mary!

The phone!

WOW...the phone is attached to my ear today. I feel like I have been calling all over the county today. I spoke with the church (First Methodist) here in Conroe. Made an appointment to see the wedding coordinator there. She wants to go over some of the guidelines with me. Who knew there were so many rules for the church. I had to read them twice to make sure I understood them all.

Then it was off to set the appointment with the florist. We are so lucky and blessed to have a friend, Diane Covey, doing the flowers. She is one of my mother's best friends and I am so happy she agreed to do the flowers for me. I know they will be so beautiful and amazing. She does a great job and I trust her so I don't have to worry about it at all.

Tomorrow, I have to call and set up a cake tasting, oh darn! I am going to make sure that Jeff gets to take part in this planning, so trying to schedule that when he is off and can be there. I really want him to decide on what he wants on the grooms cake, doesn't matter to me so I told him, your choice. (Maybe I should re-think that...hahaha).

It's beginning to look like a wedding

Well it is beginning to feel and look like a wedding is going to be taking place in the coming months. Yesterday, Mom, Jennifer, Mary and I all went out to April Sound (reception site) to look around. It had been a while since we were there. We picked out the other linens (chair covers, table runners, overlays) and then we decided on where things were going. That is going to be a interesting chore with about 200 there but it will be well worth it.

Today, Dad, Cindi and I ventured out to April Sound again so they could see the place, meet Debbie the events director and get the lay of the land. They seemed to really like it, the place is going to look great. With the deck and gazebo decorated people will really be able to have plenty of space.

After seeing chair covers, table linens, deciding where the buffet is going and so on...it is really starting to feel like a wedding! Oh my goodness...isn't it wonderful!

Father's Day

This Sunday was Father's Day and it was a great one. The weekend started out with Jeff coming over and us going shopping for him some clothes. As we all know I hate shopping...yea right! Then he and I went to the movies, a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. We ran some more errands and finally made it back home later in the evening.

Sunday, Father's Day we had been invited over to my dad's house. He was going to bar-b-que, so let's just say I AM THERE! He and Cindi invited Jeff's parents over for dinner too. It was great, they drove from Huntsville and got to meet my dad and family. We chatted, laughed, and ate, boy did we eat. But the day went great. I was really happy to see my family and Jeff's getting along so great. Everyone seem to be having a good time, I certainly know that Jeff and I did.

Stress?

I think the stress of everything is starting to play a toll on me today. I am trying to plan the wedding, which I have to say is going great, think about moving and working on our new house. While trying to do this, Jeff and I are both very concerned about money, naturally. Neither of us has much of it money and of course that is top concern on our mind. To top it all off, we are going on vacation next month with my family to Tybee Island (Savannah), Georgia. Both of us are so excited and can't wait, we just wonder how we are going to make it until the wedding. I guess today I am just having a poor me moment. Tomorrow Mom, Mary and myself are going to April Sound to meet the new events director and check the place out again. It will be great to have Mary there, she is always such a great party planner and full of great ideas.

Coming together

Today Mom and I got a lot accomplished. We met with Dana, a very nice lady, who will be doing our photographs for all the festivities. With her package you get the engagement, bridal, and wedding/reception for one price. That was great...gives you a chance to get to know them and they you. Big Oak Photography will be our choice...I can't wait. Can't believe it is all coming together so easily, makes me nervous in a sense.

Another thing off the list was heading to the church. She and I went to the Methodist church in Conroe, where the wedding will be held. She was able to see some of her friends and I was able to turn in some paperwork they were needing for the ceremony. I met with the minister again, who is so nice and friendly, and can't wait to sit down and discuss the plans with us.

Overall, today was a great day, got those things done! Seems like it is still along way off but I know it will all be here before I know it....

My dreams coming true!

The past month has been one that I will never forget. I have been from one extreme emotion to another. Having to loose Barney and watching the heartache that his death has caused, ending school and saying goodbye to some pretty special students, and continuing on with wedding plans. I know without a doubt that Barney is still with my family everyday, watching over my Mom and loving her with all his heart. I am more amazed everyday by my mother's strength and courage. I know that I shouldn't be, she has always been an inspiration to me, but when you are faced to face with that spirit, it is a miracle to see.

On Monday, June 9th another dream came true. My sweet love Jeff, proposed to me. I knew he had the ring but how he was going to ask me I didn't know. I went to his house that evening after he got off work, as we were starting to eat, at what is going to be our kitchen table, he got down on one knee. He proceeded to tell me how lucky he was, what a blessing I was to him, and how he would be honored if I would become his wife. Of course my answer was yes but hearing him say those words and know with all my heart that he meant them and I felt the same was a dream coming true.

Summer vacation starts and weekend....

It has been a while since my last post, sorry. Finally the last week of school came and went. What a long one it was, the year went by fast but last week was the slowest one of all. But needless to say, the final day with kids arrived and of course me being me...I cried a little. Some of these kids I had been their teacher for both 7th and 8th grade History. I will miss them, they are sweet, good kids with a lot to offer the world. I think in that few minutes made me realize why I do what I do and how important it is to me. They made me feel like I had made a difference, even a small one, in their year and that is why I do it, to make them feel like they matter. When the saw me crying (a little now) they knew that they did matter to me and I will really miss them....I think if you are one of those teachers that never gets that feeling, you need to find another career.

Well then the weekend began with a trip to Rockport. Mom and I (aka Thelma and Louise, minus Brad Pitt and the cops) make the 3 hour drive to see Shannon's new place. It is great, a little 2 bedroom cottage not 20 yards from the water. It was so peaceful and just what my mom needed. She also had her last day on Friday, ever. It was a hard day for her on many levels. One saying goodbye to a career and school she loved. Two, leaving some of the best friends she has ever known and even though she will still see them it won't be the same. And three, it is bittersweet, she and Barney had so many plans for when she retired. Things they were going to do, places they were going to see...a whole new life. Now that he is gone, so is that dream. But like I told her and we all believe. He is right there with her, every step of the way, forever.