The process of moving

I am in the process of a move. This is a shot of my living room minus the cedar chest the couch in the picture is being sold in the moving sale.

Mr. Clean and Daddy Clean came and helped move my bed frame. There was a lovely amount of dust under the bed. This picture isn't that clear but I took if for comparison sake. I'm moving but honestly I usually do have some clutter...

 This is the after shot. I love how much cleaner my carpet was after vacuuming. It made a world of difference!!

Now I have to get back to work. It's a huge process and yet I know I'm making progress and that makes it worth it. I wish I had taken before pictures of my refrigerator last night because the after shots would have been better then these but I was too busy cleaning!!!





I wanted to play along with Katie's Saturday morning scene, go link up!!!

moving running organizing and dust

I visited my friend Jess when she was in the process of a move. They were in fact moving in 10 days when I arrived. She has moved so many times over the past 6 years that she has it down to a science, even with 3 little people and one more on the way. I was amazed at the organization even though I know she felt it was pure chaos. I will say it again she is my hero.

I am moving in with my parents for a week or 2 before the wedding. Mr. Clean and I are combining 2 houses. I'm having a HUGE moving sale and whatever does not get sold I'm calling whoever will come pick it up to pick it up. I lack moving experience, I have been in this condo 6 years and before that most of my stuff was at my Mom and Dad's even though I spent 4 years in college and I did have a brief time when I rented a room from a friend.

This morning Jack and I went on a beautiful 4 mile run, it was perfect!!! Then I had an oil change scheduled at 9. I arrived home in time to quickly clean out all items from under my bed. Thursday night I moved my vanity and dresser from my room into the living room after emptying them out. Last night I cleaned off my book shelves. Today Mr. Clean and Daddy Clean came with the trailer and we loaded up the bookshelves, the rocking chair, the cedar chest, the dresser the vanity, the canvas wardrobe, and the bed. His parents have been amazing to us!!!

I'm currently home and I just took a break, I've got clothes in the washing machine. I have vacuumed my whole place getting up the crazy dust from where things haven't been moved in a while. I'm getting ready to start sorting clothes again. Any tips on how to organize the moving sale piles are ABSOLUTELY appreciated!!!

Because currently this is what it looks like... Yes it's that scary!!!! However, it is coming together and I am so blessed!!!!

Visit to the store

Yesterday I drove to Boone with my college roommate to visit the store where we both worked in college. The store owner is Mama D and she is amazing!!! We love her!!!!

Mama D always has the best store windows!! Her place is on the main street in Boone and this is the first window.

This is the prom window, the theme is Rock Star Prom. Mama D registers dresses so that no girls will show up to their prom with the same dress. Most of her lines she has sole control of for the area so unless girls go to different states far away they are not likely to be able to have the same dress.

I won't be posting an actual pic of my dress yet, but this was the one I had on right before it. I loved it and actually thought it was a maybe. Until I put my dress on. The whole process took me 30 minutes and I think I tried on about 8 gowns. I am so incredibly thrilled and excited about my gown!!! I also found Girl Clean's dress at the store, the white one has to go back to Target because it won't work with the dress I decided on.

Across the Ocean

I just read through the people article and browsed the pictures for the big day!! Oh my word, I've been enthralled with their story and following along. There is just something endearing about Kate, who is only 2 years younger then I am.

Her dress, so amazing!!!!! Her hair, I totally think I'm going to have something very close to that for my hair!!!!

It is so much fun to just see all the pictures and think about how it must be and I just can't get enough. However I was out of work yesterday and picked my own dress so I must get back to work :)

Happy Friday!!!!

crazy mama and friendship

Last night I worked at the restaurant. One of my coworkers put things in perspective for me when she said well at least it's not your future mother in law who is crazy… She is so right too. I can handle my mom's crazy because I get it and I understand the background of it and I know my Mom. I've never had a bad relationship with anyone's family who I have dated. In fact CF&G's sisters and parents are invited to my wedding. And BT's sister is invited although I know she most likely won't be able to attend. I typically form great friendships and fall in love with families making significant break ups that much more difficult. If Mama Clean was giving us a hard time and being as difficult as how my mom is being I would have such a hard time with that. I can deal with my mama's crazy, even if it is making me want to scream and cry and throw a two year old tantrum!!!


Tomorrow is the day I will go back to the store where I worked in college and pick out my dress. Originally I had plans to go up next week and take my Mom and Mama Clean. Then I found out my other mother, the one who owns the store, would not be there the day I had planned. So I told the Mama's that the trip was off and planned to just drive up on my own. Then I started thinking about it and called my college roommate. She will be travelling with me tomorrow.

She and I worked in the store together, I got her the job. We lived together her 2nd semester freshman year my 2nd semester sophomore year until the time I moved back to Charlotte. We had a huge falling out after I moved out of the apartment and didn't tell anyone I was leaving and it took a few years but we patched things up and our friendship still remains. I think a sign of true friendships is when you have the huge falling outs and then you are still close once you forgive each other.

I was thinking about it and tomorrow will be a full circle day. The place where we experienced life and started our journey into adulthood is where we travel back to for significant life changes. When college roomie and her now husband got married they actually had their ceremony at a little wedding chapel up in the mountains. When I bought my house I travelled up to see Mama D (owner of the store). Starting around 2007 at least once a year College Roomie and I have taken a day and travelled together to visit Mama D and go out to lunch.

It was around this time last year when College Roomie and I had lunch at Chick Fil A with Kbug, her little girl, and I left from there to drive to Durham to see my other college roommate MG. I was struck by the different paths our lives have taken and how different we all are and yet we are all still friends, all still in each other's lives. When I look back and think about all that has happened, where we have gone, what we have seen, I'm amazed at how much takes place in the span of 1 year, 5 years, 10 years. I love that these girls now women are still a part of my life. Despite our vastly different lives we can still sit and talk for hours just like we did when we lived together for that one summer in Boone and we drank way too much and did things that would have made our parents blush!!

The song stuck in my head

Found these lyrics here

Ozzy Osbourne — Crazy Train


All aboard! Ha ha ha ha ha ha haaaa!

Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay, Ay

Crazy, but that's how it goes
Millions of people living as foes
Maybe it's not too late
To learn how to love
And forget how to hate

Mental wounds not healing
Life's a bitter shame
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train

Let's Go!

I've listened to preachers
I've listened to fools
I've watched all the dropouts
Who make their own rules
One person conditioned to rule and control
The media sells it and you live the role

Mental wounds still screaming
Driving me insane
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train

I know that things are going wrong for me
You gotta listen to my words
Yeah

Heirs of a cold war
That's what we've become
Inheriting troubles I'm mentally numb
Crazy, I just cannot bear
I'm living with something' that just isn't fair

Mental wounds not healing
Who and what's to blame
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train
I'm going off the rails on a crazy train

Lyricsfreak.com © 2009

The other night while driving back from dropping girl clean off Mr. Clean was flipping through the CD's in the disc player. I have never ever listened to Ozzy, ever. Personally if I can't understand the lyrics and I'm being screamed at then it's not something I will go out of my way to listen to. This is just my opinion. Plus this particular artist was more popular before my time and I was always a country music girl. All that to say that I've had this particular song stuck in my head since Saturday night and I decided to look up the lyrics.

This particular song I could understand well enough to remember some of the lyrics and I know it's been used as background music for varioust things. After reading the words I appreciate the song. This part "I've listened to preachers I've listened to fools I've watched all the dropouts Who make their own rules One person conditioned to rule and control The media sells it and you live the role"  still applies today, for sure!!

Easter candy

When I was in VA my friend Jess introduced me to these... It was instant love and I had to buy 3 bags at Target the next day. Of course I had to leave a bag for Jess since I ate 1/2 her bag. Then another bag I left for my parents as a thank you for dogsitting the granddog. Then I kept a bag and allowed myself a few a day, a serving size is 8 eggs. Once I finished that bag I tried to be good but Harris Teeter had a sale... I bought another bag. I just finished that bag. Yesterday when I was at the store I saw they had them on clearance, and somehow I managed to resist the temptation... Dress shopping on Thursday might have had something to do with the increase in my willpower although the willpower lost to the remaining eggs in my desk drawer.

Ahhhh chocolate, or as Girl Clean calls it, clocklit!

When your name changes

OK so I was going back and forth with my insurance agent on the new policy for my condo. When my name changes, exactly how much will I have to change and WHERE IN THE WORLD do I start and how do I avoid missing something?

I plan to have my first, middle, last and new last name. I know I will probably have to do something legally in order to be able to have all these names, so if anyone knows how to do this and can let me know that would be fabulous!!!!

This is the stuff that I worry about, I need to make sure that I don't miss anything when it comes to changing my name.

Last week, weekend, parents, mini vent

Last week was full!! Mr. Clean's car is back in working order, after a LOT of money. Fortunately no one got arrested over the whole incident when the guy who fixed it lost power to the car, told no one, and told everyone that it was fixed. My Dad's being watched but things are under control and he's on medication.


Friday night I worked the restaurant. Saturday morning I went for a wonderful run!!! I drove up to Mr. Clean's and we took Baby girl/Girl Clean for an Easter Egg hunt at Mamaw's church (Mr. Clean's parent's are referred to at Mamaw and Papaw by Girl Clean). She was more into the cupcake then looking for Easter Eggs or crafts. Once everything wrapped up at the church I left with Mr. Clean's mom to take her to lunch for her birthday. We both love Mexican so we decided on the place and when we were seated she excused herself to go to the ladies room. I took that opportunity to pass along my credit card to make sure that I paid for lunch.

We had a great lunch and sat and talked and I got details and information that help me to better understand Mr. Clean. I'm sure she learned more about me as we sat and talked and shared. The end of our meal comes and we had a different server and I asked to speak to the original guy who took our order. The server could not find him and I was becoming more and more nervous. Finally the guy comes back and says he can't find him and I told him I hoped he could because the guy had my card and I was paying for lunch. My attempt to be discreet was a complete fail. I was able to pay for lunch, I had a wonderful time and I think so did Mama Clean. She dropped me back off at Mr. Clean's place and I spent the rest of the day with Mr. Clean, Girl Clean and Jack Banner. We went grocery shopping and Girl Clean fell asleep. She had to be back at her mom's by 7:30.

When we got back we started working on the Mac & Cheese, baked beans and dessert for the lunch the next day. Mama Clean's birthday was Saturday and Mr. Clean would be spending the day with his family on Sunday. He had chicken that needed to be grilled so we also fixed a chicken pasta along with the other dishes we were fixing. It was the first time he's let me help in the kitchen. We started and had everything assembled and refrigerated in 2 hours.

Sunday I was up early so I could take Jack for a walk. Mr. Clean was meeting me at the church I grew up where my parents still go so despite not getting to bed til late I had no trouble waking up. I knew that this would be an interesting experience for him and I was nervous. He was right on time meeting me and we went in, my Mom totally expected him to be late and did not do a good job hiding her shock that he was with me. The service started at 10 and we were there at 9:30 so for a good 20 minutes there were so many people coming up to us to meet him. I had already given him a little warning that these people have watched me grow up and are very excited for us and he did a good job of smiling and greeting people, he didn't reveal how overwhelmed he probably was by that experience.

After the service he left to be with his family. My mom was so ticked off that he wasn't coming to meet my family despite the fact that I had said from the beginning that he would be with his family on Easter. I didn't know he would be joining me at church until the week before and I knew all along he would be at lunch with his family because they were celebrating his mom's birthday. In my mom's way of thinking it was more important for him to meet her family then it was for him to be with his mom for her birthday. I never even mentioned lunch to him despite my mom being on my case about it because I knew it was important for him to spend that time with his family. I did not point out to my mother that if my brother had done something like that to her she would have been devastated. I just let it go.

I had a wonderful time with my family. The California relatives were with us and we all had a great time talking and laughing and enjoying our day. Jack behaved himself for the most part. He pouts when I put the muzzle on him and I kept him on his leash for quite a bit of the time. My Grandmother and my Uncle's Dad both use walkers to move around and I did not want any accidents because of my dog. My mom would have let him just run around and didn't understand why I wouldn't but I knew better and I knew it was necessary to keep him on the leash. In her mind Jack can do no wrong, I'm aware that my dog can do quite a bit of wrong and needs to be made to behave.

Yesterday afternoon I arrived home reviewing my mental list of all that I needed to do. Mr. Clean surprised me and brought me dinner, a bowl of the chicken pasta we made Saturday night and a piece of the cake we made for Sunday's dessert. Both were so incredibly yummy!!! He didn't stay long since he knew I had so much to do but it was such a wonderful surprise to see him and I definitely appreciated the food!!! My mom called to touch base with me and I told her what he had done. "You mean he didn't stay to talk to you?". I said "yes he stayed for a little bit and we talked for a little bit but he knew how much I needed to get done so he didn't stay too long." "Well I guess that was very nice of him…" I give up, I can't make her like him, I can't make the situation anything other then what it is. I'm letting her have her wedding, I'm letting her do what she wants, I'm trying to maintain my sanity while working and trying to get everything done that I have to get done when it comes to work and work and packing up my house.

His parents love me, and have been wonderful to us. His Dad has done a LOT of projects with Mr. Clean and yesterday I received a picture of the front porch swing that his Dad hung up yesterday. I'm so excited about our swing!!! They could be suspicious and judgmental of me and they are not.

I keep having requests to see me, my mom's friend's, my friend's. I feel guilty, I only have so much time in a week. This week, last night I worked on the house and went for a run, tonight I'm working at the restaurant. Tomorrow night we have premarital counseling, Thursday night I will need to spend time with my dog and be at home. Friday night I work. Saturday morning I have an oil change, I will see Mr. Clean for lunch and then I have to be at the restaurant at 3 for a meeting and be there the rest of the evening. There is only ONE of me, and I am feeling the pull from way too many directions. Fortunately for the most part I think my friend's get it.

I understand that getting married is special, once in a lifetime, and a very very big deal. I also understand that a wedding is just a day, a celebration for a beginning not the be all end all. I am so excited to marry Mr. Clean. I am delighted and blessed and doing all that I can to prepare for this next big step and change in my life. The wedding itself I don't care that much about. It's my mom's deal. I did order our invitations and I am excited about those!!! I will be picking out my dress, and I am looking forward to that. So I'm not completely removed but I'm also in a weird place when it comes to my wedding because while it is our day, it's not really our wedding if that makes any sense. I love my mom, I do. She is who you want when you are in crisis. She will be on your side and fight for you. She loves me and I know she does. But right now as much as I do love her she also makes me want to scream most of the time!!! I push back when necessary. Example, Easter lunch… Grandmommy is not comfortable walking any longer. Mom is wanting her to walk down the aisle in front of everyone to be seated. I told her if she is not comfortable with this she does NOT have to. Mom is trying to argue this with me. I told her and Grandmommy both that Grandmommy is allowed to do what Grandmommy wants and if she wants to be seated and NOT walk in front of everyone then that is HER right!!!

It will all work out, it will all be over and we can move on with our life. I am thrilled, delighted, ecstatic at the fact that Mr. Clean and I are going to share the rest of our lives together. I am just over the moon for him and I know he's not perfect and we have things we will have to work on in the future, because that's just life and that's how it goes and whatever is going to come up and we'll have to work through it. He loves me, I love him, I am blessed!!!!

Happy Tuesday!!!!

A belated trip recap

Somehow I've managed to let almost a month go by and never posted about the first weekend in April. I travelled to VA for a trip I had been looking forward to for ages. Lisa had asked me if I would like to run the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Race that coincides with the Cherry Blossom Festival that happens every April in Washington DC. We entered a raffle and our names were drawn and we were in for the race.

My friend Jess graciously provided me a place to stay. She wasn't kidding about living in the Boonies, I'm seriously amazed at how far away from everything the house was and so so so excited that they have moved back to civilization!! I arrived at her house Friday evening and enjoyed a fabulous dinner!! Saturday she drove me in to DC so that I could pick up my race packet. Fortunately I was able to give Lisa a quick hug while she was waiting in line for packet pick up. The pickup wrapped around the building, it was unlike anything I'd ever seen before. We did a quick catch up before I jumped back in the car with Jess. Saturday evening was low key; I had to be up super early. The chicken stir fry we had for dinner was amazing!!! I plan to try to make this as soon as life settles down and I get the recipe!!!

Sunday morning I was up at 4:10 so that I could leave by 4:30 in order to drive to the metro station to park to ride the train on in to the city. Everything went smoothly and at the Smithsonian station I met up with Becky and Lisa. It was such a wonderful experience to meet these ladies. I met Jess through Hailey and we first met in person May 2010. I don't remember how I found Becky's blog, I think it was through Jess's blog and through Becky's blog found Lisa and then when we met in person it was just an in person meet up of friends I felt I already knew so much yet so little about. If you are a blogger and you've met your blog friends in person then this statement will actually make sense!

The experience of running in the Nation's capital was surreal. The run itself, for me, not my favorite, at mile 6 I thought it was 7 and that was a tough realization. However, after that the next few miles did go pretty quickly. I felt sick by the end and was desperate for water and that was not easy to find. I was separated from Lisa and Becky and we texted and said that we would see each other at dinner that night.

I had to make my way back to the metro station, back to my car and then back to the house. Honestly I'm really proud of myself for navigating this on my own; in Charlotte we just drive everywhere. The rest of the day was lazy!! Dinner that night was so much fun, Jess and her daughter Cass, Lisa, Becky and I sat and talked and enjoyed fabulous food but more importantly the opportunity to hang out and laugh.

A quick trip to Target after dinner with Cass and Jess and I saw the CUTEST little girl's white dress, which I mentally filed. Jack Banner got a new stuffed frog. I had to be in bed early and I said my goodbyes to Jess, Chris, Cass Gabe and Livie that night. I woke up early and was on the road by 6 because I had a day off from work and A LOT to accomplish when I got home!! As I was working around my house the rest of that day I missed the sounds of having little people around. Jess will tell you her house is always loud and it is, and since I was only there for a weekend I know it's not the same for me but I loved the noise. I left and traveled back to my little condo and crazy busy life of work and work and Mr. Clean and family. I enjoyed my time, I enjoyed the noise, I was amazed by my friend who had a gazillion things going on and yet warmly welcomed me and chauffeured me around and fed me fabulous food!! She truly is my hero!!!

The little white dress we saw at Target that I mentally filed, I purchased. It's most likely going to be Baby Girl's flower girl dress.

This week

I was driving in to work this morning and David Crowder Band's song Shine played as I listened I reflected on what has been going on this week.

Sunday morning I was up at 5:15 and out the door a little bit later for a 4 mile run. It was wonderful. Then I drove up to Mr. Clean's and we went to church followed by errands followed by lunch with his family. His car battery light was flashing and understandably he was stressed because warning lights flashing in the car mean money is going to be spent.

Monday morning I got a text from Mr. Clean that his car would not start and he was using his Dad's car. He drives all day long for work so not having a car is not an option. Monday night my Dad's youngest brother and his family arrived from California. The last time I saw my 2 cousins K was 6 and J was 2 1/2. K is now 24 and J will be 21 in October. The time I've spent with them I find it interesting our similarities even though we've never spent any time together. I had dinner with them and plans were made for Tuesday.

Tuesday morning I woke up and went for an awesome run. Mr. Clean let me know what was going on with his car, an alternator replacement and fixing the wheels. His car is no longer new and there have been a lot of things that have had to be fixed over the past few months. I got home from my run and was stepping in the shower when my mom called. My Dad had gone in to have his leg looked at. Last week his leg was swelling and my mom got on his case to go to the doctor. He finally went and then the doctor sent him in for imaging. Tuesday morning he went to the imaging appointment and the first person to look told my Dad that someone else needed to review the images because it looked like a clot. My mom couldn't really talk, and told me she would let me know when she knew. She was frustrated he hadn't gone sooner and I told her at least he went and quit putting it off.

I texted PMG and BK, both I grew up, both's parents are my friends parents and then I also texted my Godsister to have her notify my Godparents. I realized that morning how blessed I am. My mom couldn't make the phone calls, she couldn't talk, but I could put the word out to my friends, knowing that they would let their parents know and that the prayers would begin. We have been in each other's lives our whole lives and as I prepare for my upcoming marriage I'm made more aware of how blessed I am by the friendships that my family has. Sure there are moments when it stresses me out because these friendships are so much like family that the line is blurred but in times such as Tuesday morning what a blessing to know that there were many prayers being offered for my Dad.

After the second person/doctor looked at the information my Dad was given two shots to give himself and blood thinner medication and sent home with instructions to elevate his leg. I sent the update text to make sure I let everyone know what the result was.

Tuesday after my shower I had time to give Jack a bath, clean my bathroom, vacuum the house and get ready for shopping with the CA girls and my Mom, the plan, to find my Mom's dress for the wedding. They arrived at my condo sometime before 2 and we went to the mall and found Mom's dress in the 2nd store we went to. I found my Easter dress and a dress for my bridal shower. When discussing lunch options my cousin J wanted California Pizza Kitchen, her reason, no one ever wants to go when they are actually in CA. I was pleasantly surprised! After a disgusting frozen pizza several years ago I didn't think I would ever have any desire to try this place. The restaurant has so many options and my roasted vegetable salad was amazing!!!

I had to work the restaurant Tuesday night so they dropped me off at the house. Tuesday night was insanely busy, our patio was hopping!! I talked to Mr. Clean and his car was supposed to have been ready yesterday. It was going to be a lot of money but it was supposed to be fixed.

Yesterday I got a text that one of the girls who works with Mr. Clean was out sick, meaning that the amount of work they had to do was going to be insane. I had to work at the restaurant last night and let my manager know that he needs to begin looking for the next me. I explained I will be moving and I'm not leaving him but he does need to start looking for my replacement. I figure I’m giving him plenty of time and I told him he can keep me on as fill in for as long as he needs. Last night was much slower then Tuesday but still a good crowd for a week night!

I expected that Mr. Clean would already be asleep by the time I got off work but he wasn't. He called me, and it was evident he was not ok. Turns out the place that was supposed to fix his car, messed up in a very big way. The type of car he has you can not ever let it lose power and the individual working on his car let it lose power then didn't tell anyone then tried to say the car was fixed. I'm surprised that Mr. Clean didn't have a stroke to be perfectly honest. The insane amount of stress he's under because of all this is downright scary. I've been praying continually because I know how much the one factor of not having the car is affecting everything else. I let him talk, and let him talk. As he talked I prayed. I asked what I could do. I listened. As the conversation went on there was a noticeable unwinding, uncoiling, and while he was still on edge it was not the same as when we first started talking. By the time we hung up, it was late and I continued to pray. On top of what happened with the car yesterday morning he dropped his phone and it shattered. It is currently taped together.

For me when I have so much happen I want someone to just tell me they will fix it. I want to just fix it all for him and I can't. The most powerful thing I have to offer is my prayers.

Thankfully while the situation with my Dad was scary, I fully believe that this clot will dissolve. Thankfully my restaurant manager is excited for me and will work with me over these next few weeks since I will be taking so many days off so I can get tasks accomplished. Thankfully in my own day to day requirements I'm not as stressed. I still have A TON of work at my day job and I still have A LOT to get done but I'm not in personal crisis and that helps me be there for Mr. Clean and for my parents.

This week I have been reminded of 2 scripture verses.

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Incredibly Sweet

The incredibly sweet blog award was given to me by Jennifer at What Would Jen Do. She just got a promotion and she's trying to juggle all that comes with that, as well as no longer working from home which I would be so bummed about but the promotion is awesome!!! Her puppies are super cute and even though I don't comment often, because I seem to be unable to juggle all that I've got going on I still do read thru reader.

To accept this one I must share 5 facts about myself:

1. I haven't really talked much about wedding planning because I just let my mom do whatever she wanted and I'm helping when she asks me.

2. I like Almond milk better then real milk but I feel slightly guilty paying the same price for a carton as a whole gallon of skim.

3. I keep books and reread them, I have favorite stories that I read about once a year. If I don't like a book I give it away because I know I won't read it again.

4. I am so excited about marrying Mr. Clean!!! I've had a lot of questions regarding this marriage and I'm thankful for them because I've really had to think and explain and it just reaffirms how right this is.

5. My bridesmaid has her dress, my mom has her dress and I will have mine soon, yet this is not my concern as I know I'll find what I love at the store in Boone. I am overwhelmed by the amount of work to be done in the life after the wedding details, but it's all coming together. The yard sale still makes me nervous though!!


If you want to play along consider yourself tagged!!!

Changes

My friend's wonderful idea didn't quite work out. We found out the pool is opening a week early so the club house is not going to work as the location. However, once I started thinking about the idea of a sale I decided to figure out a way to move forward. I talked to my neighbors and I'm going to try and have a sale on the yard space next to our condo building.

I'm not sure how hard it will be, I keep hearing it's a lot of work. I am up for the challenge, on top of the craziness that is my life right now!!! I have the stuff already sorted so I think it's just a matter of figuring out how to display what I have.

I went through my cedar chest last night. I found all my journals from high school and a lot of cards that I have kept through the years. So fun to read the cards of my friends who are still so very much a part of my life.

I'm having one attendant, PMG. It seemed appropriate to me that my friend who I have known since church nursery days would be the one I have stand beside me on my wedding day. The movie Bride Wars, Kate Hudson's character is her, Ann Hathaway's character is me, plus or minus traits. The line at the end of the movie  "It was quite a wedding and as I stood there watching I realized something I'd forgotten a long time ago. Sometimes in life there really are bonds formed that can never be broken. Sometimes you really can find that one person who will stand by you no matter what. Maybe you will find it in a spouse and celebrate it with your dream wedding. But there's also the chance that the one person you can count on for a lifetime, the one person who knows you sometimes better than you know yourself is the same person who's been standing beside you all along." Marion St. Claire/Candace Bergen. This quote perfectly sums up our friendship.

PMG has been amazing, as I went back and forth with my mom regarding dates and details she was supportive. She has already mailed out the invitations and planned a shower. I told her no shower and she refused to listen and figured out a way to make it happen. She already has her dress, and I don't even have mine yet. I will have mine, I'm going May 5 to pick it out.

I have signed papers with the property management company. I will live with my parents for the 2 week interim between when I have agreed to be out of my place and when the wedding will be. This will be interesting and special I know.

Mr. Clean and I had our first session with the pastor this past Wednesday, we left with homework and finally knowing who is actually going to marry us. I'm looking forward to this time as we learn more about each other and how to better communicate. I appreciate that we both are fully committed to this process of preparing the groundwork for what will be a lifetime together.

Life moves quickly, while all this is going on in my personal life I have a crazy workload in my work life. Trying to keep up and make sure I don't miss things is a challenge. Trying to find a groove is probably just not going to happen until after everything has settled down.

I would not trade this time for anything. I'm blessed!! Happy Friday!!!

Fabulous Idea of a friend!!!

When I returned from my VA trip last Monday I spent several hours working on sorting through stuff in my house. I've now been in the same condo for 6 years. I closed in May 2005 and these years, in some ways, have flown by and in others I feel as if 2005 was a lifetime ago.

Mr. Clean and I discussed our options and where would it make the most sense for us to live. We decided that for now it makes the most sense to live in his house. Once we made this decision I then had to think about what to do with my condo. After researching my options I contacted several property management companies a few weeks ago. I received an email back and then a phone call and we set up the appointment for this past Saturday morning so that she could see my place.

The meeting went well and I feel very comfortable with my decision. Now I have bags and bags of clothes and boxes of shoes and boxes of, basically, just stuff! There is so much already and then more that I still have to go through. I was thinking about my options. Because there is so much I did not want to just donate everything, I've donated more bags of clothes and shoes over the past several year then I had all through my growing up years. I enjoy clothes and shoes and I go through my things regularly. This time around there is more then usual and I was not up for the hassle of trying to sell online. I've done that and it kind of works but it's not my favorite.

This morning my coworker/friend and I were talking and I was lamenting the situation. She looked at me and said why not use my driveway and set up a garage sell, and I looked at her and said I really really appreciate that but I'm not going to take advantage of you that way. Then she had this look on her face and said wait… we have a club house and it won't open for the pool until Memorial Day weekend. You could have a frugalista sale in there and set it all up and make it look nice and you would have a bathroom and parking and if it rains you would still be able to have the event. I LOVED the idea!!!! She emailed the contact and lucky for us the space is available. The contact sent the contract and I wrote her the check for $25 and I'm going to be having a sale.

Not only did she think of this idea but she also said that I can stay in her guest room and she's going to help me set up. I am so beyond excited over this!!! I emailed my parents, Mr. Clean and his mom and gave them all the heads up on the idea. I know it's going to be a LOT of work but I also know that this could be a wonderfully successful way to move all the things that I need to move and whatever does not sell I will then donate.

Any advice is appreciated!!!

I'm alive

I promise. I had the most delightful weekend with Jess, met up with Lisa and Becky and thoroughly enjoyed my time.I could go on and on and at some point I will try to come back and update about the trip because it was just fabulousness. I'm thankful Lisa asked me about running the cherry blossom 10 miler. To finally meet my friend in person who I already felt I knew so well was wonderful!! Jess is my hero and I want to be just like her when I grow up. Becky is the ultimate planner, and so much fun. I was so happy to have the opportunity to sit down with these girls for dinner and talk and laugh. I need to do a full run down post on the awesomeness of it all!!

I got back to work and I had 8 things all due by Friday plus meetings and I had to ask for help because there was no way I could get everything done by Friday. I felt so awful that I was in that position but I'm only human. Fortunately by the end of the week it was accomplished.

I've been reading blogs through reader but all last week I wasn't coming back and commenting. This was because I worked Tuesday night, Wednesday night I was with Mr. Clean picking out house stuff, and then Thursday night I met up with my college roommate for dinner. Such a fun dinner, margaritas, catching up and I scored her daughter's Dora toddler bed for $20 bucks since K just moved to a big girl bed.

Friday night I closed at the restaurant. I came home and was up til 3 trying to get my house looking presentable. I was up at 7 to clean the bathroom and vacuum. My house looked amazing!!! I was so relieved I got it all done!!! Saturday morning I had an appointment with a property manager and I'm pleased at the outcome. It was worth the lack of sleep.

I suggested to Mr. Clean that we see if his parents wanted to go to lunch, they did. So I drove up to have lunch and then had to be at the restaurant where I closed again. This morning I was up for church. Then Mr. Clean and I went to my parents to borrow the van, down to Pineville to pick up the bed and then back to my parents to drop off the van and take the bed apart. We sat down with my parents to answer questions and discuss details.

The discussion went so much better then I anticipated and I left feeling confident and happy. He and I were able to spend the rest of the afternoon together and it was wonderful!!!

Work is crazy busy, life is crazy busy, and I am just trying to keep up and get everything done!!!!