Goin' to the Chapel...

Well, I haven't blogged in FOREVER! Sorry about that. I was busy movin' and gettin' hitched! Yep, moved on Monday, drove 9 1/2 hours on Tuesday, did last minute wedding stuff on Wednesday and Thursday, decorated and did rehearsal on Friday. Got hitched yesterday. WOAH!

Are you exhausted after reading that?

I am hoping to post some pics later - after I get some from everyone who took them. There I go being a good blogger again...taking a lot of pictures of important events!

The move went well. We got a lot accomplished in the one day we had. YAY!

So, here's the scoop on this weekend: the wedding was fan-freakin'-tastic! We laughed and cried. It was short and sweet. We had a peanut butter and jelly unity sandwich...umm...AWESOME! The reception was amazing. Great food. Dancing. Karaoke. Time spent with friends and family that I wouldn't trade for anything. The weather was gorgeous. The day was really as close to perfect as it possibly could've been.

Until...

Until my cousin's 2 kids got locked in the bathroom and couldn't get out. The lock broke. It was just turning in the door. My brother ended up hoisting my cousin in the bathroom window from the outside. Cousin disassembled the lock and saved the day.

Kids were saved. Day still perfect...and we have a funny story about how the night ended.

More to come. That's all for now. I'm exhausted!

Bridal Shower

This is going to be short because I'm trying to pack for Ohio. Precious and I are going to look for housing. Pray, people. Pray. We leave tomorrow. We have Tuesday-Friday to find something.

So, today was our wedding shower. Oh. My. Goodness. I am a little overwhelmed. So many people that I rarely get to see. So many gifts. So much love. So grateful.

Pics later. No time right now. Must go fit all of my stuff for nearly a week in a little bitty suitcase (that we got at the shower today - WOOHOO!) so that I don't have to check a bag!

Me and My Boring (Yet Busy) Life

School is starting. I'm not. It's strange. The school where I was teaching cut their music program at the end of the last school year, so I am not returning to work this year. It's weird. As far as finding plenty to do - no worries there. 

I am still teaching at my studio, but this coming week I switch to Fall schedule, so I won't work during the day. I have plenty of other things to do, though.  I have been trying to refinish a sideboard that I intend for Precious and I to use for a TV stand in our currently non-existent living room. So far, it's mostly sanded (well, about 1/2 to 3/4 - that's mostly, right?). I fully intended to work on it this morning, but I received a call from the wedding coordinator at our reception venue, so I opted to go meet with her instead. SO glad I did. She helped me to iron out minor details that were really bugging me. 

Precious and I had lunch at a place that we call Dora's (it's a little Mexican joint that used to be ran by a lady named Dora - now her kids run it and the name is actually Cerro de la Silla). We ran a few errands and I went home to try to clean and pack up a few things. EPIC FAIL! I need boxes. I have too much crap! I am refusing to clean anything else until I have boxes and can pack. It just seems stupid to take stuff of shelves to dust and clean, put it back up, only to take it back off to pack as soon as I get boxes. So, not cleaning until I pack.

This is kinda random and unrelated, but I have also been on the search for lip gloss. Please tell me I am not the only person who has WAY more make-up than I need. In my defense, I DO use it most of it, but I most certainly have my favorites. However, lip products are different. I go through phases. Sometimes I want a little color. Sometimes I just want a clear gloss or plumper like Lip Venom, but right now I need something wedding appropriate. I was looking for something that looks pretty natural with a little sheen. So, I found my perfect wedding lip gloss. 

I LOVE Buxom, but I never could find color that I was in love with. Thanks to the nice lady at Sephora who put up with me trying 15 different things, I found a Buxom color called SUGAR. It's a sheer gloss that's kind of a rosy terracotta. Super excited. Here's a photo I found showing different sheer colors:

Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment about these dreadful headaches that I can' seem to get rid of and THEN....THEN mom and I get to go see my wedding dress. 1st fitting. So pumped!

An Interview and a Suit

Precious has a 2nd interview with a prospective employer. We are excited, scared, nervous...my emotions are all over the place. This is a BIG deal for us. It would require a BIG move (him before the wedding and me afterwards). We have prayed over this situation and it just seems like this is the direction God is leading, so we are preparing for whatever He has in store for us - taking life one day at a time.

I have to be honest, though, I had to have my "kid in the cereal aisle fit". You know what I'm talking about. Anytime something comes that I am not expecting, I have to have my spoiled rotten kid moment except mine ends up looking nasty like a kid in the cereal aisle who isn't getting the cereal that they want. Sad. I know. Don't judge me!

So, Precious had an interview a few weeks ago via Skype. It went well. I was really feeling like the move was a very good possibility. We waited for a call. It never came. I finally encouraged Precious to email and we are so glad he did. They had apparently been trying to contact him (or HR was supposed to have contacted him). Either way, contact was made and the 2nd interview will take place a little over a week from now. The company is paying all expenses for the interview. Everything just seems to be falling into place.

Yesterday we went shopping for a suit. Hopefully I can get him to put it on for a photo op before he goes. He looks super dapper in it! Somehow the suit just makes it more official. We are trusting God to continue opening doors that need to be opened and close the ones that need to be closed. Please pray for us as we approach this new chapter of our life together. A new job (a LONG way from home), a wedding, a move...it's a lot, but we want God's will and if He says "GO" then we will go.

My Bouquet!

I'm so excited to show this to everyone. Precious' aunt is doing all of our flowers for the wedding and reception. When she presented me with the idea of a brooch bouquet, I was a little less than excited, but as she showed me pics the idea grew on me. She gave me several brooches for my birthday and I began my search for the remainder. It's a little difficult to find navy flowers anyways (she painted the ones that are a base in the bouquet!), so the brooch bouquet was what I choose. It's was quite an expensive project, but so worth it!

Isn't it fabulous?!?!?!?!?!

View from the front

View from the top

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.

Groom of the Year 2011

So, I convinced Ronnie to jump onboard the 'contest train'. For his contest entry the prizes are:

• a man's wedding band and a pair of cufflinks from SK Cobalt
• an Unlimited Luxury honeymoon from Secrets Resorts & Spas
• Groomsmen gifts from Brides.com
• a Sony HDTV and and XBox 360 console with Kinect

He shared his entry with me this morning and I wanted to share with you. I am one lucky girl.

I knew she was "The One" when:
Sheena and I have been dating for some time. So I'm not really sure at what moment I knew she was "The One." I do know that when we first started dating she was "The One" I enjoyed spending time with. As time passed she has been "The One" who was always there for me and "The One" who loved me like no one else. So by the time I was down on one knee asking her to marry me, there was no doubt that she was "The One" that I wanted to marry. Now I'm looking forward to her being "The One" to spend the rest of my life with.

If my fiancee were to describe me in 3 words, the would be:
Patient
Compassionate
Admirable
(Those were actually the 3 words that I gave him when he asked.)

I am Groom of the Year because:
Sheena has chosen me as her Groom of the Year. That's the only contest that matters to me. Everything else is just icing on the wedding cake.


I am SO very blessed and so happy to able to share my life with such an amazing man!

Correct Link

It has been brought to my attention that the link I previously posted to our wedding website didn't work. It is fixed on the other post, but here is a new link just in case:

Our Wedding Website

The Recipe for a Perfect Wedding Day

So, Brides Magazine has this contest where you can win $10,000. You had to describe your ideal ceremony and reception in 100 words or less. Here's my entry. Tell me what you think! Do I have a chance at $10,000?

The Recipe for a Perfect Wedding Day
• Begin with a beautiful October day.
• Fill the room with friends and family.
• Add a blushing bride in a beautiful dress who looks like a princess walking down the aisle.
• Mix in a groom handsome enough to make any girl swoon.
• Toss in a peanut butter and jelly unity sandwich (unity candles are over-rated).
• Stir things up with dinner and dancing at a beautiful indoor/outdoor reception hall.

Recipe yields:
a joyful day full of memorable moments - a girl, a boy, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, friends, family and lots of love.

Monday...oh Monday (and a link to wedding website)

This week begins the real craziness that is my life. My SCC students return this week, so we are in full swing at the studio. Early mornings in Cairo. Late nights at the studio. I knew it was coming, but I haven't felt very well the past few days, so the thought of this week is utterly exhausting.

On a lighter note, I have uploaded my guest list (some of you will be getting Save the Date emails once I figure out how it works). It will hopefully give you a link to our wedding website. If not, here it is:
www.theknot.com/ourwedding/RonnieMaysJr&SheenaNeely
It isn't complete, but I'm trying to keep it fairly up-to-date. I like that people can RSVP there and I like that you can post links to your registries (which are no where near complete, but we're working on it!).
(NOTE: The Knot's website has some really awesome options for helping brides stay organized.)

I have someone working on designing invites, so one more thing checked off of my list.

I really just want the planning to be done so that I don't have to think about it. I just want to enjoy life - screw the wedding! It's one day. I'm sure it will be a lovely party and I'm trying to make sure its beautiful and enjoyable for everyone who can come, but I really could care less about most of the details. Not your typical bride...what else can I say?

Hope you have a great week.

Pick a Tiara

I have limited the selection to 2. Which one do you like better?

#1

OR

#2

Our Wedding...Hasn't Happened Yet

So, weddings....

Kate LOVES a good wedding. I never have cared for them, however, I am a little excited about mine and Ronnie's.

October 15, 2011 - Save the Date

I have already picked out reception decorations - Aunt Sandy is in charge - SUPER excited about this!! I have a reception site, a photographer, a caterer, cake is in the works (since that's the most important part), I have talked to my favorite DJ (Chadd-o - I still have to confirm details, but I think he's game), and a dress paid for (not ordering it until Feb). John Windings is going to marry us and I'm working on the guest list (the least fun part). There WILL be a peanut butter and jelly unity sandwich! The girls picked out their dresses. We're way ahead of the game, but the part I am struggling most with??? MUSIC! Why am I (a music person) struggling with music???!!!

It will all come together. It will be beautiful and exciting and NOT HOT (because we're praying for normal October temps), but most exciting is that fact that Ronnie and I will begin a new chapter of our lives.

Wedding Dress Success

While I can't post a picture, I did indeed find a wedding dress. It's actually the first dress I picked out on-line. It's an Alfred Angelo gown. My mom and I went to Anne's Bridal in Paducah because that's where Alfred's site sent me, but they only had bridesmaids dresses. I thought I was going to have to go to Nashville or St. Louis to try on this dress just to see it in person, but after some additional research, I found a bridal shop in Jackson, MO that carried the bridal gowns. As soon as I walked in the door, I spotted the dress I had been looking for. I tried it on that day and loved it. However, I wanted to be certain (it's a little expensive!). I value the opinions of others! :-)

On Saturday, mom, Debbie, Aunt Sandy, and my girls (Crys and Kate) joined me on a search. I tried on several gowns at David's Bridal. I found a couple that were ok, but I really couldn't wait to get to Jackson to try on THE dress for them. Everyone agreed that the Alfred Angelo dress was THE dress. So, while I haven't purchased the dress (at this shop, you custom order gowns) I have most certainly found my wedding gown and it's absolutely gorgeous!

My girls also found dresses! They are going to look stunning! So exciting! (We won't talk about their dress search. I really wish we had pics of 'the really good ones' - think of the craziest prom dresses you've ever seen and multiply it by 10!)

Now, 30 Day Blog Challenge - I promise to catch up this week. Most to come this evening....

OF COURSE I SAID YES!

So, it was quite a weekend! I spent Friday night with the girls. Melissa and I met Kate and Amber in Cape. We had a yummy, fun time at Olive Garden. Then Melissa and I went back to her house and hung out with her mom and Alexis....it was a great night.

Saturday night Ronnie and I had reservations at Celebrations in Cape. We have been there several times before. They have excellent food and Ronnie wanted to celebrate graduation, me opening the studio, him quitting B&N and starting his graduate assistanceship. I have been so excited all week because I was also planning to start a new diet (courtesy of the Healthy Lifestyles program recommended by my doctor).

I wish I would've taken pictures of the food. Presentation at Celebrations is a huge part of the experience that you get. It really IS an experience every single time you eat there.
OUR CHOICES
Appetizer: We had stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer. They were stuffed with a cream cheese base filling and topped with bread crumbs then baked. OH SO GOOD!
Salads: I had a ceaser salad. Ronnie had something with a buttermilk vinegarette...it looked yummy!
Entrees: I had linguini with mushrooms, squash, and tomatoes...the pasta was homeade! Ronnie had antelope. It was served on a bed of what he called 'cheddar grits' and grilled okra. He said the sauce was like the best steak sauce ever!
Dessert: Well, we ordered a peach crosata with blackberry sorbet and homeade whipped cream....

....but before they brought dessert, Ronnie asked me to marry him! He got down on one knee and held out a rather large ring box with a gorgeous ring and asked me to be his wife. I asked him where he was hiding that thing. He told me in his sock...oh yeah...I said YES! We both were a little teary-eyed.

Dessert was yummy and they brought us a small bottle of champagne - enough for 2 glasses.

A toast?

 We decided to play the 'torture her with text messages' game with Debbie. Ronnie sent her a pic of the ring on my finger. She sent like 4 messages back within a minute - did I say yes? (I tried to get Ronnie to tell her that I was bonding with the ring...I would let her know in a bit!), when were we coming home...I think she was a little excited! :-)

Ronnie told me that he had asked my dad and my dad had given us his blessing. I was curious if my mom knew, so I sent her a pic of the ring on my hand and asked if she knew about it. Apparently she did. She told us later (when we stopped by the auction on the way back to Anna) that my dad made her SWEAR that she wouldn't say anything before he would tell her. He told me that he almost didn't tell her.

When we finally made it back to Ronnie & Debbie's there was an entire welcoming committee: Ronnie, Debbie, Crystal, Chris, Sandy, and Jason. Tears and hugs all around! Come to find out Chris knew before we left. He was at the house and asked me where we were going and I told him where and why (or at least the reasons I thought we were going). Later when I remarked about his being 'stone cold' earlier in the evening he said, "Snitches get stitches." He did ask Ronnie if he came back in for the ring. I thought he came back in for his iPod. Apparently, he intentionally forgot the iPod so that he could sock the ring box! Sneaky, sneaky!

We have finally told everyone that we wanted to deliver the news to personally, so it's time to officially announce that Ronnie and I are engaged to be married. We don't have a date yet, so stop asking! ;-)

I feel overwhelmingly blessed! I was totally surprised by this proposal and the element of surprise was most certainly a nice touch. We've been together a little over 7 years (this time). We are closing one chapter in our lives and opening another. I can't wait to see what happens in this story. I am honored to wear this beautiful ring from the man who I will soon call my husband.

 my engagement ring

 Now I have some serious diet motivation, eh?