No Hodgepodge - Just Flood Waters

It's been a frustrating week. We haven't been to school because of water (oh and we have PLENTY of water!). Cairo sits at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers at the bottom of the state of Illinois and is currently in a desperate situation. Voluntary evacuations began on Tuesday. Mandatory could come tomorrow from what I hear. Many people refuse to leave because they see no danger.

It's hard to watch this struggle. Currently, there is an argument about whether or not to intentionally breech the Birds Point Levee. It actually sits in Missouri. I don't know a lot about it, but from what I understand, this levee was built in the late 1920s in case something like this were to happen - it was designed for this very reason. I know that it would flood hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland, depositing sand which would impact that land for decades. There are 2 sides to this coin and I don't like either of them and I'm upset with the people who can only seem to see one side - their side. It really frustrates me when people do not consider how others will be affected by doing things 'their way'.

There is a LOT of pressure on the levee at Cairo.I think the Corp of Engineers' biggest concern is not water coming over the flood wall (but as you can see, the level is incredibly high - that's the flood wall and a barge - crazy), but rather, the levee breaking under the pressure of the river.

My biggest fear? The levee will break and many people will have failed to heed the warning to get out. While I was at the flood wall today I saw one of my students in the truck with his dad who said, "that water has a ways to go before it spills over that wall - I don't know what all this fuss is about". Do they not know that if the levee breaks the water will rise so quickly that they will not have time to get out. I just want to scream, "PEOPLE, GET OUT!!!!"

Even if the levee holds and they blow a hole in the Birds Point Levee, I don't think anyone is considering what effect it will have on the backwaters (which are rising faster than the river). As the river recedes, that water has to go somewhere...it just pushes to other places.

SO. FRUSTRATING.

I don't know what is going to happen over the next few days. Please keep flood victims in your prayers. There are some cities that are already flooded. People are loosing their homes and business because it won't stop raining! A local home center had this as their sign:

I firmly believe that God is in control and that He has a purpose in all of this, but it most certainly doesn't make it any less frustrating!

Prayer Monday - April 25, 2011

I'm back! Spring break was productive and refreshing (and extended by at least one day because of flooding). This weather is crazy! I don't ever remember there being this many stormy nights - back to back. And the rain...it just keeps coming.

Prayer Requests
~ My Mom. I think she's told enough people that it's ok to make it public here especially since it means prayer warriors interceding for her. She goes for a biopsy on May 3, but they're pretty sure she has breast cancer. Please pray for God's will. I know that He can heal in an instant but I also know that sometimes we walk through valleys. Please pray for grace and strength and peace for my mom.

~ My Uncle Roger continues his battle. From what I understand certain parts of his body are rejecting his stem cell transplant - which just seems odd. Please pray that God will give him strength and the doctors wisdom as they treat him and that his body would heal for good. Pray for my aunt as she faithfully stays by his side. I know she's exhausted.

~ My Precious

~ Did I mention Precious and I are getting married and they cut my position at school? I know that God will provide - He always does, but I really want to be where HE wants me to be and I'm not sure what that looks like (teaching music or something completely different). Being still is not my strongest suit, but I really want to wait on the Lord. I want to be still until He orders my steps. Please pray that I will be able to do this.

God, everything I listed above has the potential to cause me to worry and fret. However, I know that Your Word says that we should be anxious for nothing. Help me to trust You - really trust You - with all of these issues. These things weigh heavy on my heart and mind and I don't know what the end looks like in ANY of these situations, but I pray for YOUR will to be done. I know that I probably won't understand a lot of things, but please continue to just give me peace in knowing that You are in control. Order my words and order my steps this week. I don't want to go somewhere if I know that You're not there. Thanks You for the hope that You provide, especially at times when we simply don't know or understand what You're doing.

Amen

Spring Break

So, I haven't blogged much this week.  I'm on Spring Break and I decided that I would:
spend some time catching up on projects (key chain pics coming soon)
spend time dealing with some wedding stuff
spend time cleaning (UGH - it had to be done)
spend time with My Precious (yep - that's a napkin hat!)

I haven't fallen off of the 'blogging wagon' (however, I did fall off of the dieting wagon and I lost that sucker - if you see it, please send it back my way...I REALLY need to get back on it), I'm just taking a few days off this week.

My Precious and I were supposed to take engagement pics tomorrow. Not gonna happen. Stupid storms. So, we're shooting for next Saturday. Southern IL weather is ridiculously unpredictable.

So, I'll be back but probably not until Monday. Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday Hodgepodge - April 20, 2011

1. What are your plans for Easter Day/weekend?

I have no plans yet. Well, if I do, I don't know about it. This week is my Spring Break (WOOT!) so I'm try to be as productive as humanly possible. I suppose that will continue into the weekend. Sunday morning, we'll go to church and we'll probably have lunch although I'm not sure where. 


2. Besides Jesus, what one person from The Bible would you most like to meet and why?
hmm...there are several. Peter. Moses-I'm really curious about the whole Red Sea episode. Ruth and Esther-I just want to sit down and have a conversation with them. They fascinate me. Right now we're studying David and I honestly think it would be interesting to hear him tell his own story. Daniel-so many stories to hear.

3. What is one modern day convenience you didn't have as a child that was easy to live without?

I would say cell phone but I honestly just think it was easy to live without because 1. I didn't have the massive amount of things going on in my life that I do now (3rd graders with cell phones...unnecessary) 2. it's easy to live without something until you've experienced it's convenience. I think I would go nuts if I had to be without my cell for more than a day...well, let's just say it's better that I have it now.

4. Are you more right brained or left brained? If you don't know what that means there is an interesting little quiz here. 

I tried to take the quiz...my computer started acting stupid. I am pretty sure I'm about 50/50. I'm a musician and love creativity, but I'm extremely organized and love math and science. I'm strange like that!

5. What is something you intended to do today but didn't? Why?

Well, it's currently 8AM so let's go with yesterday...being Spring Break and all I am trying to be super productive but I didn't make 2 phone calls yesterday that I intended to: 1 to schedule an oil change and 1 to cancel a doctor's appointment. I think I'll do it today.

6. Cadbury Creme Eggs or Reeses peanut butter?

Cadbury Eggs freak me out! I LOVE peanut butter. So yummy!

7. Who was your favorite cartoon character when you were a child?

Oh wow. I LOVE cartoons. Smurfs, Rainbow Brite, Strawberry Shortcake, She-Ra, Looney Toons. I'm not sure I had a favorite. I still like Disney stuff - Mickey, Donald, Goofy.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Spring Break is going by WAY too fast.

Chair Rescue

The Tale of a Rescued Chair

There once was a chair. It was a nice chair - beautiful wood. However, the chair wasn't pleasant to sit on and it's covering dated it terribly. Oh yeah, and it had wheels on it's front 2 legs.

You get the picture. I LOVE this chair, but it needs new padding and something other than that ugly 70s thing to cover it. Who thought that was a good idea anyways? And wheels? On the front legs only? Really?

 

And THIS was the cushion....not much for comfort were they?

 

(NOTE: I'm bad at this whole taking pictures of the entire process thing. I replaced the cushion. Forgot to take a pic of that. I touched up some scratches on the chair. Forgot to take a pic of that.)

A Brand New, Happy Chair

casters, not wheels

a close-up of the trim

  TA-DA!

Value of the Day

I have found 2 deals today.

Wal-Mart's Value of the Day

Targus 17" Sport Backpack for Laptops - Navy Blue

$9.98 ($.97 shipping to home)

Housewares Deals - Today's Deal

If you missed the KitchenAid Knives, here's another good deal on a knife set:

Faberware 13 Piece Set - $55

This Farberware 13 Piece German Steel Cutlery Set is forged from superior quality, high-carbon German stainless steel for the ultimate in strength and durability.  The ultra-sharp blades cut effortlessly and retain their fine edge over time.  Each knife in this set boasts full-tang construction for balance and control, and features comfort-grip, ergonomically contoured triple-riveted handles.  13 piece set includes: 8 inch chef's knife, 7 inch Santoku knife, 4-1/2 inch utility knife, 3 inch parer knife, 6 steak knives, shears, sharpening steel, and storage block.  Hand wash with warm water and a mild detergent; rinse and dry immediately.

Happy Shopping!

Wednesday Hodgepodge - April 13, 2011

It's Hodgepodge time! Click on the logo above to join us!

1. Would you rather talk to everyone at a crowded party for a short time or have a significant conversation with two people?

I would much prefer to have a significant conversation with one person than mingling. I'm not really the mingling type. Most days I'm not even sure that I like people in general. Me even being at a crowded party would be a stretch.

2. What objects do you remember from your parent's living room?

At the house that I grew up in, paneling - one wall had a light wood color with deer and trees on it, the other 3 walls were a darker brown. At one point, I remember a huge fish aquarium. There was always a recliner (a must for dad). Smaller things? My mom LOVES nick-nacks. I HATE THEM because I always had to dust around them all.

3. Do you hog the bed? Steal the covers? Snore?

No, I don't hog the bed. No, I don't steal the covers. Yes, I snore. :-( 
I wish I didn't but I don't know what to do about it.

4. Speaking of Easter dinner....what is your favorite way to cook/eat lamb? Or does just the thought of that make you squeamish? If you're not cooking lamb what will be your entree du jour on Easter Sunday?

Lamb? Hmm...I don't think I've ever had lamb. It doesn't make me squeamish, though. I've just never had it. I'm not sure what we will be having for Easter dinner. My guess is that we will be going to Aunt Sandy's and that she and Uncle Jason will be cooking. 

5. Let's throw some politics into this week's mix-oooohhh...Do you know the whereabouts of your birth certificate and when was the last time you had to produce it to prove you're you?

I actually DO! It's in a safe at my house, but I honestly don't remember the last time I had to show it to anyone. 

6. As a child, how did people describe you?

Teacher's Pet. The one who could be sent outside and never get dirty. Miss Perfection. I was the child who didn't like to be in trouble and always got straight A's. (I know, I know...over-achiever)

7. What do you complain about the most?

It depends on the day. Heat and humidity is going to be the biggest complaint real soon. I really don't like that part of summer. I HATE to sweat!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I've decided that I would much rather someone be honest when I ask how they're doing than give me a generic 'fine' or 'good' but when they are (because it happens so infrequently) I sometimes don't really know how to respond. Am I alone here?

Stronger

My song pick of the week:

Stronger 
by Mandisa

Hey, heard you were up all night
Thinking about how your world ain't right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you're asking why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather

Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Believe me, this is gonna make you stronger

Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end
God's right there
Even when you just can't feel Him
I promise you that He still cares

When the waves are taking you under

Hold on just a little bit longer

He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger

The pain ain't gonna last forever

And things can only get better

Believe me

This is gonna make you stronger

Believe me, this is gonna make you stronger

'Cause if He started this work in your life

He will be faithful to complete it

If only you believe it

He knows how much it hurts

And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

When the waves are taking you under

Hold on just a little bit longer

He know that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger

The pain ain't gonna last forever

In time it's gonna get better

Believe me

This is gonna make you stronger

Prayer Monday - April 11, 2011

Ok, so my morning started with me cracking an egg and it going all over the counter rather than in the bowl...that sort of explains how my entire week has been. Nothing really going 'right' - whatever that means. Many things just feel 'off'. Perhaps because I'm tired or perhaps because I'm just frustrated in general, but I really would like for things to resume to a 'not-so-off' state.

My Requests:
~ My Uncle had to go back to Vanderbilt this week. Parts of his body are rejecting the stem cells - his lungs, his skin - they're introducing new treatment. Please pray that it works. And please pray for my aunt. I know that she's exhausted and incredibly frustrated.

~ Please pray that God will help Precious and I navigate the unknown. We're currently just trying to be still and know that HE is God, but I was not blessed with patience so being still is difficult for me. Pray that God will strengthen our faith and reveal Himself in ways we could never imagine and that we would be able to focus on where, when and how we are supposed to be serving.

~ My dad has some health issues and we're possibly looking at spinal fusion surgery. Please pray for him and his doctors.

~ Lil bro is still running hard and fast from God. Please keep praying. I totally believe that God is moving and is pursuing him, but lil bro can be a bit stubborn (he might get that from me...just sayin').

Prayer
God, I need help focusing on You and Your purposes in this life. Everything feels 'off' and messy and I don't like it...mostly because I feel like it's partly this way because I'm not focusing on YOU the way that I should. As each woman who participates here goes through this week, I pray for each to have a servant's heart and to be able to focus on their purposes for this season in their lives. I pray that You would then equip each of us for the service You have called us to and for the journeys we are on. God grant us strength to get through each day and peace to endure those things that would typically 'rattle our cages'. God, You are good and I pray for nothing less than Your best for each of these women.

Amen

OXO Pop Storage Containers

I LOVE all things organization. However, for the kitchen, something like this is a must. I have registered for sets of these, but they're so cheap on this site that I may purchase a few extra. Get some while you can! They have several sizes on sale. Click on the OXO logo to go to the site.

These POP canisters are airtight, stackable, space-efficient and BPA FREE! Your dry foods and goods will remain fresh thanks to the unique push-button lid. This lid creates an airtight seal with just the touch of a finger. Designed for modular stacking, these containers come in a range of square or rectangular shapes. The corners of the container allow for easy pouring. Not just for food, these containers are also great for craft supplies, small toys, and more! Available in 11 different sizes. Each container sold separately. Constructed from plastic. Dishwasher Safe! Intended for Pantry and Countertop storage only; NOT safe for microwave or freezer use.

 

Today's Deals

Looking for flatware? Here's a great deal: It's only $69 ($225 MSRP). It's also only available today.
65 Piece Flatware Set - Service for 12
The contemporary styling of this Wallace Serenity 65 Piece Flatware Set is sleek and simple, decorated with subtle accents adding an understated design element to your table. Crafted from superior quality 18/10 stainless steel, this set will stand the rigors of everyday use. 65 piece set, service for 12, includes 12 each of: dinner fork, salad fork, dinner knife, dinner spoon, and teaspoon, plus 5 serving pieces, which include 1 each of: tablespoon, pierced tablespoon, cold meat fork, butter knife, and sugar spoon. Dishwasher safe.

KitchenAid Knife Set

I have recently done quite a bit of research on kitchen gadgets and tools. When I register for things I want it to be something that's going to last. Period. I have been struggling with knives. Most experts say don't buy a set, it's a waste of money. Invest in a few good knives that you will use all of the time. However, today Housewares Deals is offering something that Crystal and I couldn't pass up. Check it out here. It's a one day deal so you have to do it today!

IT'S ONLY $49

KitchenAid®

15 Piece Forged Cutlery Block Set

This KitchenAid 15 Piece Forged Cutlery Set features high carbon, ultra-sharp stainless steel blades that cut effortlessly and retain their fine edge. Each knife in this set boasts full-tang construction for strength and durability, and features comfort-grip, ergonomically contoured triple-riveted handles. 15 piece set includes: 8 inch chef's knife, 8 inch bread knife, 8 inch slicer knife, 5-1/2 inch serrated utility knife, 3-1/2 inch paring knife, 4-1/2 inch Santoku knife, 6 steak knives, shears, sharpening steel, and storage block. Hand wash with warm water and a mild detergent; rinse and dry immediately.

Blessings

So, I was introduced to this song by my soon-to-be Mother-in-Law. It's so beautiful and I thought I would share. If you haven't heard it, you need to!

Blessings by Laura Story

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet Love is way too much to give us lesser things

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home,
It's not our home

‘Cause what if your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise

Wednesday Hodgepodge - April 6, 2011

If you would like to join us at Wednesday Hodgepodge, just click on the button and link up! It's fun!


1. National Read a Road Map Day falls on April 5th. Would people say you have a good sense of direction? Do you rely on a GPS when you drive somewhere new? When was the last time you used a map?

I DO have a good sense of direction. My Precious, however....not so much. I don't remember the last time I used an actual map or atlas. I have Google Maps on my phone and I use that. The GPS has save mine and Precious' relationship. Seriously, people, I may have a decent sense of direction but I don't make a good navigator under pressure. If the GPS steers us wrong then it's no longer my fault! Love that!

2. What's your favorite cookbook?

I actually use on-line cookbooks more than anything else. My top 3 choices? Taste of Home, Allrecipes.com and Food Network. 

3. What painting would you like to 'walk into' and experience? Why?

Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles, at Night - Van Gogh

I love outdoor cafes and this looks like a beautiful night. I can just imagine sitting there sipping a latte or maybe a glass of wine. Can we go now? 

4. What annoys you more-misspellings or mispronunciations?

YES! Seriously, they both bug me. Today mispronunciations. I have corrected at least 15 of them and it isn't even noon! Ah, the life of a teacher. 

5. What is something your mother or father considered important?

Going to church. They drug me regardless of whether I wanted to be there or not. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad now that I have the foundation that I do, but at the time it was WAY more important to them than it was to me.

6. Do you like or dislike schedules?

I like them, My Precious does not. He says that "time is an invention", but I really like routines and schedules. I like organization. However, there are days when it is nice to not have an agenda.

7. Let's have some fun with National Poetry Month (that would be April)...write your own ending to this poem-"Roses are red, Violets are blue...."

I have an old autograph book of my grandpa's. There are several of these in there from friends of his.

Roses are red,

Violets are blue.

Sugar is sweet

and so are you

The roses are wilting,

the violets are dead.

The sugar bowl's empty

and so is your head

8. Insert your own random thought here.

The weather here today is beautiful! 70 and breezy. I think afternoon music classes will be going outside and I don't care if that makes me a bad teacher! :-)

I found this recipe through stumbleupon.com. I think it's from Betty Crocker. So yummy!

Warm Toasted Marshmallow S'more Bars

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 cup butter or margarine, melted
3 cups milk chocolate chips (18 oz)
4 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

1. Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, stir together cookie mix and crumbs. Stir in melted butter until soft dough forms. Press into ungreased 13x9-inch pan.

2. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until set. Immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over crust. Let stand 3 to 5 minutes or until chocolate begins to melt. Spread chocolate evenly over crust.

3. Set oven control to broil. Sprinkle marshmallows over melted chocolate. Broil with top 4 to 5 inches from heat 20 to 30 seconds or until marshmallows are toasted. (Watch closely; marshmallows will brown quickly.) Cool 10 minutes. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Serve warm. Store any remaining bars tightly covered.

The finished product

Now go make some...you know you want to!

Prayer Monday - April 4, 2011

Praises
~I'm not really freaking out about the job thing. Perhaps I should be, but I don't feel the need just yet and for that I'm thankful.
~A great weekend get away was very refreshing.
~Even though I don't know what God is doing, I know He's doing something so I don't have to worry about it.

Prayer Requests
~My Uncle Roger - there were apparently some issues yesterday so please pray for his health and that God would intervene and give he and my aunt peace and strength
~My little brother. Please pray that God will have His way in lil bro's life - no matter what it takes that God will get his attention
~My Precious
~Frustrated with the food/exercise/losing weight/being healthy bit. Pray that God would give me strength, focus, and the will power to do what I need to do. Period.
~Please pray that God will give me wisdom and guidance as I make decisions regarding the future


Father, I praise You for being all-knowing and all-powerful. I thank You for Your faithfulness in the past and I thank You in advance because I know that You are going to continue to be faithful in all of the requests that are being lifted up to You this week by those joining Prayer Monday. I pray that You would meet the needs of the requests in Your way and in Your time - I confess that in my constant state of impatience my time and Your time are rarely the same, but I trust that You know what's best. So, come Lord and do Your work here this week.


Amen

Phoodos

My Precious and I went to St. Louis. We visited his lil bro and went to a Regional Barista Competition where our friend Joe Marrocco was competing. I just found out that he won! YAY! He will be competing at the Nationals in Houston. Exciting, right?

So, St. Louis...
Friday night we ate at Lotawata. Oh my...the food...so massive...so good! Fried Banana Pudding. YUM! (Casey is going to figure out how to make it.)

Timmy's Dinner

My Dinner

Ronnie's Dinner

A LOTAWATA FOOD!

Heaven - Fried Banana Pudding

Saturday we had breakfast with lil bro at IHOP, attended the barista competition, went to Kaldi's in Clayton for more coffee (we may have a problem), and shopped at The Loop (although I don't think either of us bought anything...perhaps we walked and looked at The Loop would be more accurate). We had a good time and it really was nice to just get away.

Wedding Planning Update

I am not really sure where to begin. For those of you who don't know me very well, let me explain why the wedding stuff IS and IS NOT a big deal - both at the same time. I am happy to be marrying My Precious, but I have always been annoyed by people who are getting married and can't seem to focus or talk about anything other than the wedding. It's gonna last a day. The marriage will last a lifetime. So, I will try to periodically post, but don't expect them to be frequent. I have a LOT of other things going on in my life and I just sort of feel like we'll be married by 4PM on Oct. 15 regardless, BUT if you want to talk about what to register for and what NOT to register for, I'm all ears. Those things will need to last for more than a day.

 For the longest time, I never really desired to be married. Even after My Precious and I started dating marriage wasn't really a thought that I had. That has obviously changed, but I've never been a ceremonious occasions sort of girl. I didn't really want to go to prom, I loathe graduation ceremonies and I think weddings are little more than spending a massive amount of money for a dress and things that are going to last for a few hours. However, we ARE getting married and we ARE having a wedding, but don't expect everything to be traditional. It's simply not us.

Attire
I will be wearing a beautiful wedding gown (that most of you will not be seeing until October 15 - sorry, but not posting it here - Precious reads sometimes). I have paid for the dress - it had to be special ordered. I have also ordered the veil and a tiara (see #1 in this previous post). Yep, gonna look like a princess.

I can show you this, though. My girls will be wearing this dress, only in Navy with Navy trim. It's stunning!

My adorable flower girl, Zoee, will be wearing this in White with Navy trim.

Invitations

I have wedding invitations. Everyone is welcome at the wedding, but due to the intimacy of the reception venue, these invitations are being sent for the reception. The guest list has been the most frustrating part of this whole process. It has made me realize how many people Ronnie and I really want to share this special day with. However, we have to limit our numbers because of space. Frustrating.

Reception

The reception venue: The Edition at 315. It's gorgeous! Indoor/Outdoor. Deck. Pond. I'm really excited about this, except for the fact that we can't invite everyone. 

Decorations, Caterer, Cake, DJ

We have all of the decoration materials for the reception. Aunt Sandy is in charge of that.

Lynda's Family Diner is catering the reception. Yummy!

I have ordered the cake (but I still have to decide on flavors - I know that I want butter pecan, but other than that, I don't have a clue. Suggestions?)

Music in Motion will be DJ-ing. Karaoke is once again in the air due the the fact that everyone wants to steal the mic (oh wait...not everyone. Just Crystal.) ;-)

Photographer

We have an awesome photographer. David Michael and Lauren Webb will be photographing our wedding festivities.

Officiant

John Windings will be officiating the ceremony. Lord help us! :-)

Registries

We have started registries at Kohl's, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Target and Macy's

To-Do

-decorations for the ceremony

-shoes (anyone who knows me knows that this is a problem - I want something I can and will wear again)

might wear these again but would look like a 6-toed sloth walking down the aisle

probably wouldn't wear white heels again

-order a guest book (getting a photo book for people to sign and write notes in)

-order ring bearer ring (not using a pillow)

-find acceptable flower girl basket

-Ronnie still has to pick out tuxedos

-buy My Precious' wedding band

That's enough for now, but rest assured that I AM getting stuff accomplished. I know some of you are worried, but I think I am actually ahead of the game. I am also going through everything at my house. If I'm not going to use it or I don't need it, it's going in a yard sale pile. There will be a posting at the beginning of summer about said yard sale. Must de-clutter. Even some PartyLite and scrapbook stuff will be going.